What does extreme fear feel like

Extreme fear is a strong physiological and psychological response, often accompanied by a sense of loss of control, physical rigidity, and cognitive distortion. When the sense of fear reaches its peak, there may be autonomic symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating and trembling, and in severe cases, even a feeling of impending death or dissociation. Extreme fear first triggers the body's fight or flight response. The excessive secretion of adrenaline leads to muscle tension, dilated pupils, and slowed digestive system activity. These physiological changes are originally prepared to deal with danger, but when fear exceeds the tolerance range, it can actually make people unable to move. Some people may feel a tightness in their throat, compression in their chest, and dizziness or numbness in their hands and feet caused by hyperventilation syndrome. On a psychological level, extreme fear can distort a person's perception of reality. The sense of time may become sluggish or fragmented, creating an unreal sense of the surrounding environment, and some people may experience brief memory gaps. A strong sense of helplessness can dominate thinking, temporarily impair rational thinking ability, and even lead to catastrophic associations. Some participants described this state afterwards as being controlled by an invisible force, knowing that fear is unreasonable but unable to break free. If experiencing extreme fear frequently, it is recommended to regulate stress hormone levels through regular exercise, practice abdominal breathing to alleviate acute attacks, and seek professional psychological intervention if necessary. Long term fear may affect the immune system and mental health, and establishing a stable social support system can help enhance psychological resilience.