By Nana Aisha Bashir
Josh Kilmer-Purcell says and I quote: “Secrets that reside in the mind of one person aren’t really secrets. They’re unspoken fears!” We all have fears that we openly discuss and share with others, but there are
also fears that we keep hidden, even from those closest to us. These unspoken fears can be just as debilitating and impactful as the ones we openly acknowledge. These fears are fears that will keep you up at night, fears that you deny with every breath because acknowledging them is scarier than the fear itself. It’s time to shed light on the secret anxieties that many of us face yet nobody talks about.
Atychiphobia (Fear of failure)
One of the most common unspoken fears is the fear of failure. This fear is dejecting and can hold us back from pursuing our dreams and aspirations. It makes us scared to try new things, take risks and embrace growth. It can lead to a life of “what ifs” and regret.
Autophobia (Fear of being alone)
The fear of being alone makes you feel extremely anxious when you’re alone. It is another secret anxiety that many people face. This fear can lead to unhealthy relationships and a lack of self-reflection and personal growth. It may also lead to fear of abandonment that stems from a traumatic experience.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Fear of losing control)
The fear of losing control is a fear that many of us face, but rarely discuss. This fear involves worry that a loss of control will result in failure, embarrassment or harm to oneself or others. It can manifest in various ways, such as a need for perfectionism or a fear of change.
Social anxiety disorder (Fear of being judged)
The fear of being judged is a fear that can hold us back from expressing ourselves authentically and living our truth. This fear can lead to a life of pretending to be someone we’re not in the process,
forgetting who we really are.
Anthropophobia (fear of people)
This fear is not the same as social anxiety disorder. Instead of fearing social situations, this fear is involved specifically with fear of people. It causes physical symptoms like rapid heartbeats, sweating or feeling nauseous.
Atelophobia (Fear of not being good enough)
The fear of not being good enough is a fear that involves extreme fear of imperfection, which can lead to self-doubt, low self-esteem and low tolerance for mistakes. This fear can hold us back from pursuing our goals and aspirations.
Chronophobia (fear of time)
This fear involves extreme fear of time or time passing. This fear can cause severe anxiety, feelings of dread, obsessive behaviors and depression. People who are elderly, ill or imprisoned are more likely to develop this fear.
Cacophobia (fear of being ugly)
This fear involves intense, irrational fear of ugliness. People with this condition may worry about being ugly themselves or encountering something they consider to be ugly. The fear is subjective, meaning the individual determines what’s ugly and frightening.
Breaking the Silence
It’s time to break the silence on these secret anxieties and create as afe space for open and honest discussion. By sharing our fears and vulnerabilities, we can build a community of support and understanding, and work towards overcoming our unspoken fears.
