Written by Online therapist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

FEAR

Adrenaline, Identity, and the Urgency of Compassion

Fear doesn’t discriminate—and neither should we. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores how physiological fear unites us, how hate crimes fracture communities, and how shared humanity can be a powerful antidote to division.

When was the last time that your heart started racing and your mind flipped a switch heading to panic? We do not often experience that kind of fear. Yet, recently, many of our friends and neighbors have had reason to dive into real fear and panic. Hate crimes of all kinds are on the rise. Our Faith histories are triggering fear in communities all around the country.

I have friends who are Jewish, and I have friends who are Muslim. I have sat at the table with them and enjoyed their company, shared family stories, and laughed at their jokes. I have cried with them when they have lost loved ones or failed to get that promotion they wanted. I cherish these friends. We are all capable of these one-on-one relationships and can find common ground easily. We care about our families and have similar concerns about our children. A son’s recent trip to Israel to visit friends ended in a panicked exit when war broke out, and massive anxiety was triggered. We all provided support. His faith base was not an issue. His well-being was primary. A Muslim professional was tongue-lashed during a professional presentation. The audience member was way out of line and escorted out. Shaken but determined, my friend continued his talk and received a standing ovation.

The chemistry for each of these people is the same. When threatened with real physical harm our bodies react. Adrenalin dumps into our system as immediate preparation for alertness and action. Our muscles are prepped for response to protect us from harm. This response happens to every human being. It knows no religion, skin color, or history.

Our commonalities are stronger than our differences.

Want to explore how communities respond to fear and hate crimes? Visit Southern Poverty Law Center’s Community Response Guide, Justice.gov’s overview of hate crime hotlines and support, and Not In Our Town’s action kit for community response.

If fear or trauma is affecting your well-being, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support emotional resilience and community healing.