Is fear contagious?

Understanding where fear comes from and learning how to address it can help you become more fearless

- Sapna Sarfare

Fear can sometimes take over your thoughts, especially when you are feeling down. To cope with it and to overcome it you need willpower and sometimes, external help.

Dr Tarun Sehgal, psychiatrist and co-founder of Solh Wellness, calls fear a biological signal. "And like any strong signal, it can spread. You only need to see someone panic to feel your own pulse quicken. When one person reacts with fear, others around them unconsciously mirror that response through a process known as emotional contagion. Fear is the brain's survival broadcast. In primitive societies, this mechanism was crucial: if one member saw danger, the group's collective fear response ensured safety. In modern contexts, though, this once-helpful reflex often misfires, creating disproportionate anxiety over perceived threats."