A Lack of Fear

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I wondered if a lack of fear was something other Aspergians felt or if it's unique to me. I'm not sure that I've felt fear to the degree that most people do. I've never been scared by a horror film. Also, I do things that are perceived as brave, but that - in reality - are a reflection of an absence of fear. I think that, perhaps, I have felt traces of fear but nothing compared to what I've heard other people describe.

No, I feel a lot of fear, and can be very easily intimidated by any attempted threat. Real stuff that is (or perceived real threats.)
I've never been afraid of a horror movie either. I lobe watching them but they never scare me. I'd love to see one that truly did.
But real stuff, fear of injury, disease, rape, losing loved ones, poverty, violence, terror, a lot of big things scare me, and a lot of small things too, like a perceived hostile look or wondering if some guy is following me and so on. When I was 8 I didn't dare go get my jacket hanging on the wall because some boys were rough housing nearby. When I'm all alone at night, I make sure to lock not only the door but also the doors to both the verandas. We live on 4th floor but that's not enough security for me, even when I'm awake all night. I have a lot of anxious and afraid feelings.
I have been paralysed with fear. Literally,.

Yes, I've entered threatening situations without feeling like I'm even there before. Don't think that's a good thing however.

My father has a lack of fear.

Once when he was at work a train started to burn because of a short circuit. All his co-workers ran away in fear and he was the only one who remained calm and managed to throw water on the train and to put out the fire. He said he didn't feel any fear.
My father has showed in many situations a lack of fear; the only time I remember him being really scared was when I was a child and I almost chocked myself by ingesting something.

He has many AS traits but he was diagnosed with schizoid features because AS at the time wasn't very well-known and wasn't diagnosed much.

Last edited by chlov on 11 Jul 2013, 4:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

My father and I also do not experience fear. Apprehension is as close as I get. I believe the actual value of fear depends on what is required to motivate someone to act appropriately in dire situations. The absence of fear is not in itself an indication of a problem while the inability to detect and react to situations that merit fear could be.

There is a similar effect that could be at play here. It has been documented that some people with AS may have a delayed reaction to circumstances which may apply to those that would normally cause fear in the first place. Considering that, is it fear we are lacking or simply that our fear response doesn't kick in until after the crisis is over, then is no longer merited, so never activates?

Another possibility is medication effects. For example, some stimulant medications can cause "fight or flight" scenario which may negate the classic fear response. Adrenalin can do this as well but the result may not be the same by individual.

I know for sure past experience (environment) can remove fear but in the case of those with AS that alone is not enough to account for its absence.

Detachment (from reality) is also a known defense mechanism which may be related to what TheValk was referring to.

Although I do not experience fear I do experience plenty of anxiety, the source appears to be almost exclusively the protection of my family. This drives me to lock down the house at night for security purposes (among other things). Not a bad thing but it can cause me to be overprotective in some circumstances, which occasionally complicates social events.

Regarding anxiety and fear management, in my experience the best approach is to wrap structure around the source of those emotions (determine probable scenarios and choose what to do about them - if anything can be done).

To use Skilpadde's example of locking up the house; if someone wants to get in bad enough they will, physical security measures can only go so far. Secure what you can but be prepared for a break-in. Consider what actions you could take to protect yourself/family. Consider also that in the end there is nothing you could do in a worst case scenario. Point is try to remove the ambiguity around the fear and don't bother fearing what we cannot control.

Perhaps I'll write my thoughts about anxiety management later after I actually get a night's sleep. Hopefully this post makes sense..

In the words of my old doc: "is it an issue or just a characteristic?"

It said somewhere else on this site before that it was an Aspie thing to have fears and NTs not. Just thought I'd point that out.

But anyway, no I don't lack fear. I have a lot of fears.

am autie,not aspie and do not feel nor have any concept of fear,years ago before developing hyperacusis to a profound level was able to go on the same roller coaster every year;the grandnational in blackpool [this is a traditional car based white knuckle roller coaster it isnt the horsey ride on a track in blackpool-most people seem to confuse the pair] ,however even upon the first time had gone on it was not feeling anything bar the flow of wind past face,was extremely bored and fed up and coudnt wait to get off,was trying to see what was underneath and hang out the side of the car but was pulled back by sister,was bribed with a can of coke to go on it by her because no one else in family woud go on.
am also a RDA horse rider and require two helpers whilst riding due to how autism,LD and epilepsy affects riding,the lack of fear greatly affects ability [in a good way] because the main reason which stops people from progressing in riding is fear and confidence in their riding.
woud canter bareback+stirrupless over mid high X jumps;insurance woud have been screwed if they had allowed any higher,was also the only one to be allowed to ride bareback because of the high risk to insurance

dont know about the mild and moderate side but it is a wide spread issue in profound and severe autism,it has good aspects as well as very dangerous ones.

I have Aspergers, and yes I guess I have fear, but a very poor sense of danger if that makes sense?

So for example if I know I'm threatened by violence I can sometimes feel the fight or flight response, which I guess is fear. And I find travelling at speed very disconcerting. But a lot of the time I am unaware that I am in fact in danger. many times I've come close to being killed because I simply didn't see the danger till afterwards, and even then I kinda thought 'so what?'

My son who has Autism has no sense of fear or danger at all. This is not necessarily a good thing, because he will make dangerous leaps from high places, and will talk to complete strangers

I have lack of fear

I have a pretty good bit of fear and anxiety, so no. You won't catch me putting $10,000 on black at the casino, or driving 95 on hairpin mountain curves in icy conditions.

Thanks to all who have answered. You've been very helpful.

My fear seems to be situational, yet inconsistant.

I've hastled and gotten into fights with tough guys with a reputation of hospitalising people, and I was completely fearless. I also suspect they noticed this and were more wary themselves. (I also did Aikido at the time).

I've climed mountains and sat on the edge of a 200m cliff with my feet over the edge. I was scared silly, but I did it. (and I was determined to do it, can't remember why).

Horror movies usualy anger me because they are so absurd. The movie The Ring, scared my silly.

I've surfed 30 foot waves, and surfed into rock groins using the waves backwash to turn around.

I have no fear of speed, I love it.


Perhaps, it's the Fight or Flight responce. I get ready for the fight, fear is the other responce.

Whats the difference between fear and anxiety? I do not understand the difference between the two.

I'm usually not aware of what I probably should be afraid of. Hights and germs are a couple things that make me uneased though.

True, but with the doors locked I would hear the glass breaking and be able to escape. (I'm sure as hell not gonna fight them! I wouldn't stand a chance and they might even be armed). So by locking it, making it harder to get in, I can hope they will pick an easier place and if not, I will have a hope of getting away. Dash to the door. A break in via the veranda is somewhat more likely than through the front door, but they'd have to pick the lock or break in the door, which would give me an opportunity to maybe get away via the veranda where there is an escape route to the next apartment in case of fire. I say maybe because the divider has to be removed.
Mostly it gives me a stronger sense of security so I don't have to be afraid when I'm alone. It felt so much better when I had a dog!

Horror movies don't scare me because they're fiction and I usually sympathize more with the monster. But in real life, I get scared a lot. I have PTSD and this causes a lot of fear.

Have you ever had a brain scan? Maybe you have an abnormal amygdala. Research shows that amygdala damage often removes the ability to feel fear. It's also possible to be born with a malformed amygdala and have no fear as a result.

Fear no longer being merited won't stop it from occurring. In fact, feeling fear only after the danger has passed is actually very common. What'll typically happen in that case is that the person freaks out about what could have happened.