Fear and phobia
![Person wearing sunglasses in partial shadow, resting hand on chin, with sunlight and striped top visible.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/8fcb183c-518b-4c3a-8598-d2cd42882b98/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Anxiety
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How to tell whether you’re being careful or giving in to anxiety
It’s not always easy to tell what’s a sensible safeguard, and what’s an anxiety-fuelling habit. A few questions can help
by Jemma Todd, Amelia Scott, Rachel Menzies & Louise Sharpe
![People standing on marked spots waiting for a train at an underground station, with a blurred train passing in the background.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/6a319ca2-1b46-4b96-9bf2-eeca07b17da3/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Community
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The behavioural immune system protects us, but at what cost?
The COVID-19 pandemic created an unplanned social experiment on skin hunger and touch aversion. How will our politics suffer?
by Manos Tsakiris
![](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/47adb4ee-dbda-49d3-a839-3a7f77d157d8/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Fear and phobia
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How to overcome a fear of heights
Humans are wired to avoid vertiginous places, but if this fear gets in the way of life then exposure therapy can help
by Poppy Brown
![](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/084b74aa-73fc-45ea-9ba7-c071d761c275/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Emotion regulation
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Can the Mapuche teach us to transform fear into respect?
Respect your fears: what the Mapuche approach to fear can teach us about transforming our biases and fighting prejudice
by Dejah Oertwig & Amy Halberstadt
![](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/0ac845a5-72cc-4702-b8e6-3221b1ef1cdb/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Autism
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Feeling fearful? Welcome to my world, and let me help you with it
My experience of autism and my scientific expertise in photonics have given me a special insight into breaking down fear
by Camilla Pang
![A skull adorned with colourful flowers, a butterfly, musical notes, a candle, and a bone set against a soft background.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/a87f0840-b0f0-4290-9055-e7ef17b4e1f2/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Anxiety
guide
How to get more comfortable with death
Angst about mortality is part of being human, but if it’s interfering with your life, there are proven ways to dial it down
by Rachel Menzies
![A close up shot looking down upon the toes and feet of a person balanced on the edge of a jetty over water](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/1c8697cc-38fe-447b-8b9c-c83f2e4a7c75/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Fear and phobia
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To fear well is virtuous and more important than being brave
Fear is not the enemy, but a real and legitimate emotion. To truly support another in their fear, let them give it a voice
by Ami Harbin
![Two people view a colourful painting of goldfish in a bowl surrounded by plants at an art gallery.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/f844d3e6-723e-4c54-9d5f-ad5bb0841aaa/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Therapeutic relationships
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What my patient with paranoia taught me about fear and humanity
John was a paranoid patient who sat in my therapy room and scared me – until I realised I was not without paranoia myself
by Patricia Steckler
![Person in a red jacket looking out at the sea with white chalk cliffs in the background under a cloudy sky.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/9150d41c-4b13-457c-9191-9f105bd24a85/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Violence and aggression
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How to deal with bullying from your past
The effects of being bullied can linger for decades, but it’s never too late to heal and reclaim your place in the world
by Stacee Reicherzer