Fear and worry are sometimes used interchangeably, although they are not the same thing. Even though symptoms often coincide, a person’s experience with any of these emotions varies depending on the circumstances. Fear is triggered by an uncertain, predicted, or vaguely defined danger, whereas worry is triggered by a recognized or understood threat that has an unpredictable outcome or rather aftermath. Both fear as well as worry trigger a stress reaction in the body. Most experts, however, feel that now the two are significantly different.
Fear vs Worry
The main difference between fear and worry is that fear is something that can have a base and a cure. Fear of snakes, for instance, can be cured by reading about snakes and by interacting with them, fear usually is repellent to knowledge and clarity whereas, worry is a portion of food for fears. To be precise, worry is something that is avoidable yet it is addictive, being worried or the urge to worry is shallow and volatile unlike the deep impact of fear.
Things or circumstances that make others feel insecure or uncertain are feared. Anyone who’s not a good swimmer, for example, could be afraid of water depths. In this scenario, fear is beneficial since it reminds the individual to be cautious. Swimming lessons safely might help someone conquer their phobia and hence knowledge and clarity can help the person overcome the fear completely.
Worry, on the other hand, is a softer feeling that conveys a sense of foreboding. You’re worried that you’ll be absent from class or that the boss will fire you because of the blunders you made. Worrying about anything is theoretically improper in English unless it has been tied to or interwoven with your existence and you are concerned about it under any circumstances. The difference in the two names is slight, yet it is nevertheless discernible.
Comparison Table Between Fear and Worry
| Parameters of Comparison | Fear | Worry |
| Meaning | ‘Fear’ is an uncomfortable emotion brought on by peril or the sense of danger. | Worrying is the act of concentrating the attention on all the adverse repercussions at the expense of employing that same effort to solve an issue. |
| Etymology | Old English fǣr ‘calamity, danger’, fǣran ‘frighten’, also ‘revere’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch gevaar | Old English wyrgan ‘strangle’, of West Germanic origin. In Middle English the original sense of the verb gave rise to the meaning ‘seize by the throat and tear’ |
| Forms | Infinitive: FearPresent Participle: FearingPast Tense: Feared | Verb; worryingPlural noun: worriesVerb simple past: worried. |
| Synonyms | Terror, fright, horror, anxiety, distress, etc. | Fret, panic, agonize, brood, etc |
| Example | 1. Fear helps you grow and understand your weaknesses. 2. Fearing the dark will make you weak. (Present participle form) | 1. Worrying about the interview is only going to make it worse. 2. Don’t worry about the things which you cannot control. |
What is Fear?
‘Fear’ is an uncomfortable emotion brought on by peril (used as a noun). It signifies being terrified of someone or something when used as a verb. One of the most emotional feelings is fear. It is hard-wired into the neural system and acts instinctively. We have the protective instincts to react with anxiety or fear whenever we detect a threat or feel insecure since we were newborns.
We are protected by fear. It helps to be aware of the risk and more prepared to cope with it. In certain instances, feeling terrified is quite natural – and even beneficial. Fear may serve as a cautionary tale, alerting us to the need to be cautious. Fear may be moderate, moderate, or extreme depending on the context, just like any other emotion.
The word ‘fear’ comes to mind first. You feel terrified from something, yet the dread dissipates as soon as the event is completed. For example, I’m terrified to ride that ride, so I’ll wait whilst you’re by yourself. In this case, I am only terrified of the ride while I have the choice to ride it; once I choose not to ride it, I become no longer afraid.
Your unease in a scenario stems from apprehension about the likelihood of something awful happening, such as getting hurt by a stranger, rather than a direct threat. This worry is caused by your mind’s perception of potential threats. Fear is usually preceded by a slew of unpleasant sensory (physical) feelings.
What is Worry?
Your unease in a scenario stems from apprehension about the likelihood of something awful happening, such as getting hurt by a foreigner, instead of a direct threat. This worry is caused by your mind’s perception of potential threats. Fear is usually preceded by a slew of unpleasant sensory (physiological) feelings.
Worrying is the act of concentrating the attention on all the adverse repercussions at the expense of employing that same effort to solve an issue. To be controlled, fears involve a mix of tolerance and verbal praise. Your mental state is fed by the energy you focus on your ideas and feelings. Worry feeds your worries junk food. Worry, unlike creative issue solutions, tolerance, and recruitment support, accomplishes nothing but broadcasting your anxieties and isolating your perspective.
You’re worried to keep yourself from feeling afraid. To divert the attention away from the fact that certain moments in life are beyond your grasp. To divert your attention away from the fact that yes, you’re taking a gamble, and yeah sure, you may be wounded. Worrying may appear to be essential, yet it is neither proactive nor useful. Worrying joins forces with your thoughts to take advantage of your anxieties.
Main differences between Fear and Worry
- Fear can be overcome whereas worry can never be overcome.
- Fear happens due to lack of knowledge and clarity whereas worry occurs if you know too much and you overthink.
- Fear is an emotion whereas worrying is an action that is a consequence of being afraid.
- Fear helps a person grow whereas worrying makes the person scared and it is not beneficial.
- Fear is a volatile emotion whereas worry is a stagnant feeling which stays with the thinker forever.
Conclusion
The distinctions between emotions ‘fear’ versus ‘worry’ are precise and often disregarded. In daily conversation, English Speaking people will say stuff like “I’m frightened I don’t know how to get to my mate’s place” or “I’m concerned about snakes in the seas.” It’s improbable that the presenter is scared of not knowing how to get to a mate’s house and that he or she is constantly terrified of snakes in the water. While the presenter’s intent in using these phrases in these cases was not always the speaker’s intent, the audience clearly understands the meaning intended.
References
- https://www.verywellmind.com/the-psychology-of-fear-2671696
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worry