[itsmemattchung]

> Arnsten recounted walking in the woods in Vermont, when suddenly along the path, a bear appeared in front of her. Luckily, the bear was facing the other way. Rather than consciously reasoning that most mammals lack a ventral stream, and therefore would not be able to recognize a still object, she froze. In this moment of fear, her reflex of freezing was engaged. When the bear turned around, it did not notice her because of her lack of movement, and ended up wandering off.

Such a great example of how the fear reflex is functional from a survival perspective. We often talk about how we can combat our fears (e.g. public speaking, dancing, etc) and this serves as a good reminder how this primitive response serves a purpose.

[guerrilla]

> Such a great example of how the fear reflex is functional from a survival perspective.

All of our emotions (when we're healthy) are tools. They're all programmable to some extent as well. If somethings not actually dangerous, repeated exposure to it will desensitize you to it, for example.

[bowsamic]

> repeated exposure to it will desensitize you to it

Not necessarily, as someone who has a difficult anxiety that I have to deal with very often, being exposed to the situation doesn't make me any less fearful of it.

[digging]

I think it's similar to one thing I learned about dog training. If your dog starts freaking out and barking uncontrollably at another dog, because they're afraid, once you get them away there's a sense of relief. "Oh good, I got away. Whatever I did that time definitely worked."

It takes an active approach to pierce through anxiety and fear. Repeatedly becoming terrified of something will more likely just make us feel bad, and helpless. Actively perceiving something frightening as tolerable is the kind of exposure that helps.

[guerrilla]

It will if you do it right. I had panic disorder. You probably need to gradually increase the stimulus and set your goals lower. If you're panicking in the situation then you've started at too intense of a level and need to work up to that over time. Don't give up. You can do it.

Another key thing a lot of people don't know is that you need good sleep in between stimulus exposures. Also, you probably need a shitload more exposure than you think. Persistence is what will save you.

[bowsamic]

Nope, definitely won't work in my situation (since my fear is actually completely reasonable and well founded)

[guerrilla]

Then why would you try to get rid of it. Fear is a tool that protects us from dangerous situations. If something is actually dangerous, then it would be rational to be afraid of it. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever to desensitize yourself to cobras unless you're literally a herpetologist or snake handler, for example.

[bowsamic]

Because even though it’s justified it’s still extremely inconvenient on a day to day level. Basically yes it is like I’m a cobra handler who is scared of cobras

[coffeebeqn]

Even what are healthy emotions is an interesting question. I’m 99% sure my anxiety is work / chronic stress driven largely. It might not be a rational emotion when I’m in my ACd office with snacks and every physical need satisfied.

[nradov]

Arnsten misinterpreted that incident and drew the wrong evolutionary lesson. Black bears (the species in Vermont) aren't particularly aggressive versus other large animals such as humans, and will usually wander off even if they do notice you. The usual advice is not to freeze but to make noise and slowly back away.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/livingwith_wildlife/bears/encoun...

I'm disappointed that an error like that made it through the fact checking process. It makes me doubt the rest of the article.