“I'm anxious about the spider in front of me.”
Usage Entry 1485 / 1605 60-second read
Anxiety vs. Fear
Generalised worry without a specific threat versus reaction to a specific threat.
The comparisoni
“I'm AFRAID of the spider in front of me — fear is a response to a specific present threat. ANXIETY is diffuse, often anticipatory.”
The ruleii
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FEAR = present threat. ANXIETY = anticipated.
FEAR: a response to a specific, present threat — sharp, immediate. ANXIETY: a state of worry about possible future threats — generalised, anticipatory. Both involve the same physiological response (sympathetic nervous system).
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Fear has a target.