There are differences between fear, phobias, and anxiety. Interestingly enough, this could become somewhat of a chicken-or-the-egg situation; fear can cause one to become anxious, and anxiety can lead to fear. Here, we take a deeper dive into the two before discussing the final point: whatever emotion you’re experiencing, there are ways to cope and move beyond your fear or anxiety.
What Is Fear?
Fear is what we experience when we come face to face with danger or a threat. For example, you’re on a hike and come across a bear in your path. You will notice your heartbeat picking up speed. You may start to sweat or experience a shortness of breath. Fear is when there is a clear and present danger.
What Is Anxiety?
Classic anxiety is worry and unpleasant thoughts. Unlike fear, the source may not be identifiable. However, similar changes happen to your body: increased blood pressure, sweating, nausea, and difficulty breathing. The stress response, also known as the fight-or-flight response, is triggered by the release hormones. There are different levels of anxiety and some can be disabling. What often happens with anxiety is it causes avoidance of certain situations. Seeing the dentist is a source of stress, fear, and anxiety for some people and it can be difficult to overcome those feelings.
Moving Beyond
We are a patient-centered practice offering support and encouragement to create a positive dental experience. Dr. Siegelman is a compassionate sedation dentist dedicated to changing patients’ dental experiences for the better. Take the first step and start a conversation with us about how we can help you.
Would you like to explore your options for sedation dentistry? Call our NYC office at (212) 974-8737.
