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Fear
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==Physiological signs== [[File:Manscared.gif|thumb|A man showing signs of fear]] Many physiological changes in the body are associated with fear, summarized as the [[fight-or-flight response]]. An innate response for coping with danger, it works by accelerating the breathing rate ([[hyperventilation]]), heart rate, [[vasoconstriction]] of the peripheral blood vessels leading to blood pooling, [[pupillary dilation|dilating]] the pupils, increasing muscle tension including the muscles attached to each hair follicle to contract and causing "[[goose bumps|goosebumps]]", or more clinically, [[piloerection]] (making a cold person warmer or a frightened animal look more impressive), [[perspiration|sweating]], increased blood glucose ([[hyperglycemia]]), increased [[calcium in biology|serum calcium]], [[leukocytosis|increase in white blood cells called neutrophilic leukocytes]], alertness leading to sleep disturbance and "[[butterflies in the stomach]]" ([[dyspepsia]]). This primitive mechanism may help an organism survive by either running away or fighting the danger.<ref>{{cite web|vauthors=Edmundson LD|title=The Neurobiology of Fear|url=http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro00/web2/Edmundson.html|publisher=Serendip|access-date=9 April 2012|archive-date=23 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623123502/http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro00/web2/Edmundson.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> With the series of [[physiology|physiological changes]], the [[consciousness]] realizes an emotion of fear. There are observable physical reactions in individuals who experience fear. An individual might experience a feeling of [[dizziness]], [[lightheadedness]], like they are being choked, sweating, [[shortness of breath]], [[vomiting]] or [[nausea]], [[hypoesthesia|numbness]] or shaking and any other like symptoms. These bodily reactions inform the individual that they are afraid and should proceed to remove or get away from the [[Stimulus (physiology)|stimulus]] that is causing that fear.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 July 2022 |title=Symptoms-phobias |url=https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/phobias/symptoms/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020180503/https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/phobias/symptoms/ |archive-date= 20 October 2022|access-date=30 March 2023 |website=nhs.uk/}}</ref>
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