Our research on fear and anxiety has revealed the process by which fear develops and how it can be reduced. Fear is a natural response designed to protect us from danger (e.g., avoiding heights, or not getting bitten by a dog). However, untreated fear can become generalized and overwhelming.
Anxiety, on the other hand, often arises without a specific, identifiable threat.
Stress occurs when fear or anxiety becomes frequent and persistent over time, requiring new coping strategies.
Fear tends to intensify as one gets closer to the source, peaks, and then begins to decline in intensity.
Studies have identified common symptoms that accompany fear: nausea, headaches, stomach pain, trembling, high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and more.
In an evaluation study accompanying users of the No Fear program, we found that it is possible to overcome fear by learning effective techniques for exposure, emotional regulation, and changing thought patterns.
Fear reduction depends on the development of self-control and self-efficacy, reduction of negative emotions, enhancement of positive emotions, and strengthening of family and social support.
A structured, gradual process of acquiring skills allows for control and reduction of fears and anxieties.
Based on published research articles
Hamama, Ronen, Shachar, & Rosenbaum. Links between stress,
positive and negative affect, and life satisfaction among
teachers in special education schools. Journal of Happiness
Studies, 14,(3) 731-751.
Agabria, Ronen & Hamama. Link between developmental
components (age and gender), need to belong and resources of
self- control and feelings of happiness, and frequency of
symptoms among Arab adolescents in Israel Children and Youth
Services Review, 34(10),2018-2027.
Ronen. Self-control exposure therapy for anxieties. A preliminary
report. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 18(1996),1-7.
Rosenbaum & Ronen. Parents’ and children’s appraisals of each
other’s anxiety while facing a common threat. Journal of Clinical
Child Psychology.26,( (43- 52).
