We all know what it's like to feel afraid. We have lived it on numerous occasions, from when we are little to adulthood and old age.
The fear is of the primary emotions that arise earlier, around the seven months. Furthermore, it is not self-conscious, that is, there is no prior evaluation of the self or any a priori judgment..
The fear is felt, so much biological What psychologically. It is not a social or moral emotion, but instinctive and adaptive.
It is very easy to remember moments when we have been afraid. When we were little we were alone. Some night when returning home on a deserted street. Before an important exam. On a cliff. Being the victim of a robbery.
Faced with situations such as those described above, the three functions of fear are set in motion:
Regulates the survival of the person. Distinguish pros and cons of the situation and reassess it logically to guide behavior. Returning home I only see if there is someone else on the street, if cars pass, if the area is very dark ...
It regulates us with the rest of the people. It allows us to get in touch through gestures or facial expressions, or by talking to another person about the issue. I can pick up my cell phone and call a friend to tell him how I feel.
It is the impulse to act, the one that triggers behavior with energy and motivation. I decide to call a taxi.
Similarly, it is important to know the dimensions of emotions:
As we have said, fear has a brain mechanism, although it can also be learned (If we see from a young age that our mother is afraid of a dog, we will learn that it can be dangerous and we will flee from it too).
Biologically fear is governed by:
Given this, we must highlight the case of Alex Honnold in relation to fear. It is a case that has not left anyone in the world of neuropsychology indifferent.
Honnold is known worldwide as the king of free climbing (or climbing) in the category of integral solo, that is, climbing without the aid of ropes or protection.
He has made numerous ascents such as: The Nose (900m), Highball Ambrosia, Ruth Gorge de Alaska (1200m), Mt. Dickey (2909m), Gran Travesía del Fitz Roy (3405 masl)
Faced with these rocky landscapes and with views so overwhelming, as well as beautiful, Honnold says he does not feel the fear of an ordinary person.
It is hundreds of meters from the ground like the one sitting in front of the computer in his office.
It is driven by the drive for growth and self-improvement. Faced with this assertion of his, and his numerous unscrupulous ascents, a brain study.
Is it possible that Mr. Honnold's amygdala had not learned fear in these extreme situations due to a neurological alteration?
The evaluation was carried out with a brain MRI. In it it was found that the climber's brain was intact, there was no affection.
The amygdala worked well, but there was something different about how it worked than other people. And it is that, in the face of fear stimuli, Honnold's tonsil was inactive and unresponsive.
It may be that then, your brain has adapted or used to these stimuli. Honnold started climbing climbing walls at a young age and gradually became increasing the difficulty and height of these.
Therefore, if fear has both a learned and a biological basis, we may be able to modify our fears, little by little, through habituation.
That is, through the repeated exposure to these fears. It is possible to be afraid of any stimulus and be able to make it disappear or reduce it! Of course, to stop being afraid you need a lot of practice, perseverance and perseverance, as essential ingredients of personal improvement!!
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