Fear - A Powerful Force

This is an independent study project on fear. Throughout you will see how fear affects people’s lives and attitudes. It basically draws to one

important conclusion: Fear is a very powerful force that can be both detrimental – even fatal – or can be beneficial and save people’s lives. In

short, this ISP is a concise summary made up of information researched from books, magazines, Internet sites, and interviews with people that strives to present fear as a powerful force.

First of all, what is fear? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as, “An unpleasant often strong emotion caused by expectation or awareness of danger.” Fear, however, is not only strong, it can also be paralyzing. In 1943 during the bombing of London, two hundred people were huddled in a shelter when a bomb exploded nearby, blowing the lights out in the shelter.

Later, all two hundred people were found dead in the shelter. When doctors examined them they found that they all had stopped breathing. These people had been afraid to die so afraid they ceased breathing. They had died of fear. “Fear is the cause of voodoo deaths and contributes to the fatalities from cancer and heart disease.”1 (June Callwood, Emotions). Fear, therefore, is

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” 1 For example, fear of guns, expressed by soldiers who commit suicide rather than deal with live ammunition, may be the fear of giving in to the impulses of murder. The power of fear is once again manifest. Yes,

“unvanquished fear is destructive of decency and

compassion,”1 but controlled wisely it “preserves life in a threatening situation,” (June Callwood, Emotions). All in all, fear comes from many different sources. This is the reason why during lighting storms, blackouts, war, and other fear inspiring times much lovemaking occurs. However, fear also has many other effects, some of which are quite peculiar. ”1 Panic

results in impotence, but for many people milder fears can also be erotic. Callwood further stated, “Fear is a fence behind which people fell safer. ”4 After that time the fears generally return. Other children develop

OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), which is a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes victims to fear a variety of things (such as not being clean). The annual bull chase was taking place and a wild bull was chasing an eleven-year-old boy. This process works best if guided by a professional who knows what to do. However, as they grow older these fears may develop into phobias. Debby Waldman, a writer for Parents, gave the example of keeping “monster repellant (a bottle filled with ‘magical’ water)”3 by the bed so that the frightened child could spray away the monsters.

Approximate Word count = 1665
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

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