Concepts of anxiety and fear

In modern science anxiety has been studied by many psychologists. A number of studies have already been conducted to look into the problem.

First of all, it is important to emphasize the differences between fear and anxiety. As V. M. Astapov [1] put it, fear is a reaction to a specific existing threat. In contrast, anxiety is a condition in which a person has disquieting apprehensions without any reason.

On the basis of this, it is possible to make a conclusion that anxiety is generalized whereas fear is related to a specific object or phenomenon.

What is more, we should distinguish between normal anxiety and neurotic one.

Normal anxiety. No one can avoid anxiety. Normal anxiety experienced as a reaction to unpredictable changes is inherent in every human being.

Neurotic anxiety. Neurotic anxiety is connected with a fear of personal responsibility and a willingness to escape it.

Anxiety state can be manifested at different levels [9]:

• at the physiological level – increased heartbeat, hurried breathing, high blood pressure, dry mouth, leg weakness etc;

• at the emotional and cognitive level – feelings of helplessness and powerlessness generating difficulties in decision-making;

• at the behavioral level – running around, biting nails, swinging on a chair, tapping fingers on a table, fumbling objects etc.

In modern psychology, anxiety is considered as a specific psychological trait which shows itself in individuals who tend to experience anxiety as a state [9].

Personal anxiety is a stable feature which is characterized by chronic somatic and mental tension, irritability, worries about insignificant things as well as feeling of internal constraint and impatience [2].

According to P. Tillich [8], existential anxiety is understanding one’s non-existence. In other words, it means understanding the fact that death is inevitable. It is very personal. Everyone has to accept his or her mortality.