Dealing with Fear

Fear is a feeling that lets us know when a situation may be unsafe. Fear can be useful when it works properly; it alerts us to danger so we can find a way to protect ourselves. However, after trauma the connection between feeling safe and being safe can become confusing. It is common to feel scared or on-edge even when you are no longer in danger.

Main Point: Fear is an important signal about safety, but it may not always be accurate… You have to check your feelings of fear with logical thoughts and the facts of the situation.

Click below to learn how to use your safety meter!

When you feel afraid or unsafe, use the Safety Meter below to ask yourself these questions…

• On a scale of 1 to 10, how safe do I feel right now?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, how safe do I truly think I am?
• What are the facts for or against each?

If your thoughts and feelings match up with the facts, you can probably trust them. But if your thoughts and feelings differ, you should look at the facts to decide what is right.  This is a simple way to help yourself to calm down and feel safer.