The roots of all your fears

We all have fears and anxieties which creep up on us throughout the day. You may find yourself checking on the stove more times than you need to or worse yet, checking WebMDmore than is healthy. Some fears on the other hand may be less rational, such as the fear of holes or zombies. Here are four common types of fears and a few of their nuanced forms.

The Hardwired Ones

Some fears are evolutionary, having been passed down to us from our ancestors. These are the fears we all share to different extents, evoking startling responses whenever we are faced with them. The more universal evolutionary fears include that of corpses, pus, hunting cats, sudden loud noises, and looming objects, as these would signal the possibility of danger to our forefathers.

While some evolutionary fears are near universal, others are passed down biologically in a more selective manner. 

"Closely packed holes really have a way of triggering me. I simply cannot look at lotus pods, honey combs, or close up photos of pores. Even the sight of aerated chocolate is enough to make me scream!" exclaimed Samira, a university student when asked about one of her biggest fears.

Although researchers disagree on the source, some believe the fear of closely packed holes is a biological fear, as some toxic animals and insects share the visual appearance of objects like lotus pods.

The Societal Products

Public speaking, performing in a crowded room, or even the unease of heading out with a massive pimple can be nerve wracking. Our self-consciousness, occasional shyness and other insecurities often get in the way of us being our best selves. While some people's social fears take on common forms, others have these fears manifest in the most peculiar of ways.

Tashrif, a businessman in his mid-fifties always feels extremely uncomfortable eating in front of others. "It's kind of funny. I love hosting parties. I grew up in a boarding school and ate in front of others most of my school-life. Even work requires me to have lunch with others. Strangely, I always have my 'actual' dinner after getting home from social gatherings now," shared Tashrif.

The All-Natural

Many people's biggest fears stem from the natural environment rather than specific situations. Environmental fears may include the fear of oceans, thunderstorms, heights, or even trees and forests.

When asked about her fear of water and drowning, Tahrima, a teenager remarked, "It started from this Bangla sitcom my parents liked, in which the mother of the protagonist drowned. I was a kid when I watched it, and obsessed over drowning for a bit. Even after I learned to swim, the fear has stopped me from ever enjoying the act."

The Pop-Culturally Rooted

Some fears are often largely the result of pop-culture, especially horror movies. Be it Annabelleor Chucky from theChild's Play franchise planting the fear of dolls in children, or It establishing a fear of clowns, horror movie protagonists often lurk in our minds long term.

Some horror movies may seed the fear of extremely specific situations.

"Movies like The Shining, Scream 2, The Ring, all make it very hard for me to go to the bathroom at night. I am always afraid someone might just be waiting to attack me there," mentioned Adiba, a research-practitioner in her thirties.

Fear is a natural instinct. It is only a matter of concern when it starts to impede our actions in daily lives, and at that point, we must seek help for it.