The Fears We Have in Common
Everyone's afraid of something, even if they don't always admit it. Whether it's developing a terminal illness or losing a loved one, some fears haunt us, no matter how hard we try not to think about them. And though some of the things on this list are unfortunately inevitable, we really, really wish they weren't.
1. Dying
What is death like? We spend our whole lives knowing that nothing lasts forever, but still, we either vehemently avoid ever thinking about death or spend too much time wondering what would happen when it does happen. Unsurprisingly, death is one of the most widely shared human fears.
2. Developing Cancer
The fact that cancer could develop without you knowing until it's already too late is usually what raises so much anxiety in people, even those who aren't extremely health-conscious. Having a family history of cancer can make these concerns even more real.
3. Losing Your Memory
Forgetting where you put your keys is frustrating, but the possibility of no longer recognizing your loved ones? Not remembering where you lived, what your name is? It's scary to imagine that one day, your brain could work against you, and you wouldn't even know it.
4. Being in a Serious Accident
No matter if it's a devastating car crash or a plane crash, the thought of being involved in a serious accident can be terrifying. It can be so stress-inducing that you even avoid getting into cars or planes, even though the latter is statistically much safer than driving. You never know if something horribly wrong can happen when you least expect it.
5. Having a Heart Attack
Whenever you get a sudden pain in your chest, a skipped beat, or an unusually rapid heartbeat, you're immediately thinking of the worst possible scenario: a heart attack. Of course, your heart is pretty tough, and not every episode of chest pain indicates something serious, but that doesn't stop your fear.
6. Drowning
You could be the strongest swimmer out there and still be afraid of drowning. After all, deep water, strong currents, and unexpected scenarios are all dangerous and could leave you vulnerable in a split second. You might even prefer sticking close to shore.
7. Losing Your Vision
Imagine you woke up one morning and everything was blurry. Vision plays such an important role in navigating the world, and yet, it's one of the things you take for granted the most. Despite that fear, we still sit too close to the TV, avoid wearing our glasses, and stare directly at bright things.
8. Being Paralyzed
Your body allows you to jump, swim, run, walk! But just like your eyesight, it's another thing you don't realize how good you have it until it's gone. The thought of suddenly losing the ability to move your arms or legs can be deeply unsettling: How would you continue doing the activities you enjoy?
9. Undergoing Surgery
Sure, undergoing surgery now is miles better and safer than it once was, when our ancestors went without anesthesia and clean equipment, but that doesn't make you any less afraid. Any procedure that involves general anesthesia or lengthy recovery periods might make you think about the possibility of waking up during surgery, or worse: not waking up at all.
10. Losing Someone You Love
Dying is scary, but you know what's scarier? Losing the people you love. Considering life is so unpredictable, no matter how much you cherish every moment you spend with your friends and family, the possibility of suddenly never being able to see them again can make you wish you could freeze time.
11. Losing Your Hearing
You've probably experienced temporary hearing loss, and even that was enough to freak you out. Of course, then, you wouldn't want to imagine having your hearing permanently gone—that would instantly change how you'd communicate and take in your surroundings.
12. Having a Stroke
Perhaps more frightening than a heart attack is having a stroke. Even if you survive the incident, it can still leave irreparable damage, making it more likely that you experience a second one. Plus, you never know if you or others would be able to recognize the symptoms in time.
13. Contracting a Serious Infection
We've already gone through a recent pandemic, so the possibility of catching a dangerous infectious disease isn't too far-fetched. Heck, you may still wear masks in crowded places or wash your hands far more often than before! Even if our immune systems can protect us from many everyday pathogens, some infections can cause lasting complications.
Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash
14. Being Unable to Breathe
From asthma attacks to respiratory illnesses, many medical emergencies can cause breathing difficulties that require immediate attention. Even anxiety-induced shortness of breath can be frightening! Yet, no matter how much you push down the fear, you can't help but wonder what might happen if you experienced it.
15. Losing Control of Your Body
Ever had a random twitch in your muscle? Annoying as it was, it probably went away on its own. But sudden muscle weakness or seizures are different, and you might even dread picturing what would happen if you ever lost control of your body in public.
16. Developing Dementia
Memory loss is one thing, but dementia involves losing the ability to make decisions and communicate effectively, to the point where you'd constantly have to rely on someone else to watch over you. And as scary as it'd be to experience yourself, watching someone go through these changes may be far worse.
17. Falling
What if you fell from that rock you were posing on? What if you slipped through the railing? What if you leaned too far out the window? Sure, most of the time, you'd catch yourself before anything dangerous happened, but you never know if you'll always be that lucky.
18. Developing a Brain Tumor
Persistent headaches can be caused by many things, chief among them stress or too little sleep. But what if you started experiencing unexplained neurological symptoms? No matter how rare malignant brain tumors are—the chances are lower than 1% that you'll develop one in your lifetime—it doesn't help shake the fear.
19. Losing Your Independence
Losing independence might be one of the less serious-sounding things on this list—that is, until you think about what would cause it. From chronic illnesses to age-related changes, the prospect of relying on others and no longer being able to enjoy activities on your own can be a difficult pill to swallow.
20. Suffering from a Medical Emergency Alone
Having a medical emergency is frightening enough, but what if you were alone at home and something life-threatening happened? What if you choked on your food or fell and hit your head? What if you were having a heart attack? Just imagining having to suffer without anyone knowing can intensify your anxiety.
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