Do you still dread the dark or that feeling that something lies under your bed? Do you feel a particular anxiety when someone you’ve arranged to meet has not shown up at the appointed time? Does the idea of a confrontation make you feel overly anxious?
If you have such feelings of dread whenever these situations (or ones like these) arise despite the logical assurances that all will be well, then it is likely that you may be re-experiencing a fear from your past.
It is not uncommon for adults to experience feelings of anxiety and apprehension over things and/or situations that are attached to traumatic and fearful experiences from childhood. In fact, it is during childhood where lasting attitudes and perceptions about things and situations are largely formed. And these perceptions and attitudes can be carried well into adulthood.
However, these attitudes may not necessarily be positive to your ability to function fully and productively as an adult. In fact, it may actually impede you. It is therefore important to recognize the possible sources of things you fear even if it means going back to re-assess one’s childhood.
Many experts agree that as long as these issues remain unresolved, the fear one experiences now will never truly be addressed, and keeps a person from realizing his full potential.