Fear can sometimes take over your thoughts, especially when you are feeling down. It’s worth asking if fear actually spreads and how, and what you can do to manage it—especially when your fear comes from others rather than yourself.

Contagious much?

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 on

See Full Page