• Most of us so-called normal people travel through our lives trying to overcome our fears.  Kids deal with monsters under the bed, lightning and thunder, the dark, bullies on the playground; teenagers deal with rejection by friends, asking for a date, dropping the ball, reporting bad grades to parents.  As we mature the fears become more individual such as fear of heights, or snakes, or blood.
• Sometimes helpful, fear is there to protect children while crossing a busy street or teenagers wanting to drive a motorcycle too fast.  Fear brings the feelings of stomach butterflies, sweaty palms, and racing heart, all a result of adrenalin internally injected into the blood stream enhancing survival in times of real danger, helping the individual ready herself for combat or escape. When a tiger is coming through the brush, this natural hormone diverts blood to the large muscles, brings out sweat, and dilates the pupils all in order to prepare for fight or flight. 
• But when there is no tiger in a so-called civilized world, there can be more danger from the body's reaction to fear itself, and all the consequences of that adrenalin surge. Take for example high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, and more.  And isn't it paradox that a person filled with fear and panic is often less able to avoid the very thing for which they are afraid. 
• Take the nervous speaker who, without confidence, loses his convincing quality as the apprehension comes out in his voice or even paralyzes him.  Sometimes it's just as FDR said it: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."  For those who are limited by fear, there are medicines and counsel, which can help.
• "No Fear" is not a basic truism; it's just an advertisement, for fear can be a very normal and protective emotion.  However it can also be very harmful, and then we need to be bold enough to seek help, and conquer fear rather than letting fear conquer us.
• Dr. Rick Holm wrote this Prairie Doc Perspective for "On Call®," a weekly program where medical professionals discuss health concerns for the general public.  "On Call®" is produced by the Healing Words Foundation in association with the South Dakota State University Journalism Department. "On Call®" airs Thursdays on South Dakota Public Broadcasting-Television at 7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain. Visit us at OnCallTelevision.com.