to not feel fear

[Elvalight]

I got this idea for a fantasy story where one of the characters can't feel fear( don't ask me how, haven't figured out most of the plot) and since it's fantasy, obviously just about anything is possible, but I want it to be at least a little realistic so that you don't read and then just face palm.
I was wondering if it'd be possible for a person to not have the ability to feel fear, at least in a fiction universe, or does that sound stupid?

[Blood]

Fear is an emotion, and all emotions can be controlled to a certain extent. I would say it's possible.

[Miserabilia]

http://www.wired.com/2010/12/fear-brain-amygdala/

[CosmicNoodle]

There is actually a medical condition in which people can't feel fear, its just an emotion, sometimes people can't feel a certain one if there brain didn't develop properly or oy came to some sort of damage, well, from what I understand.

[Kurgg]

I was wondering if it'd be possible for a person to not have the ability to feel fear, at least in a fiction universe, or does that sound stupid?

I think it is possible but I cannot see benefit other that one could create some fearless soldiers for suicidal missions as fear's purpose is warn or protect human from dangers.

[Gamma Male]

As certain Tibetan monks have shown, it is possible to show an extraordinary amount of control over your body and mind with extreme discipline. And yes, that includes suppressing emotions.

It's sort of like Vulcan Meditation.

[Kacey]

It is totally possible, using the vast power of our minds to overcome themselves. That sounded like I know what I'm talking about... But truly, it is possible.

[Mushin]

Yeah it's possible, and not just in a fictional universe. Excluding brain trauma or injury to your amygdala / medial prefrontal cortex there are lots of ways a person would have the ability to not feel fear.

However considering it's a fictional story- why not add some kind of unheard of medical condition? Maybe it's a curse or even a superpower, idk. The protagonist could have the ability to control the electromagnetic spectrum, essentially controlling their nervous system and deciding whether or not they want to feel fear, or even instill those emotions in others. (Without even mentioning all the other cool shit you'd be able to do)

As certain Tibetan monks have shown, it is possible to show an extraordinary amount of control over your body and mind with extreme discipline. And yes, that includes suppressing emotions.

The goal isn't to suppress the emotions- that's counterproductive. Monks view emotions as visitors to a static existence (consciousness.) Therefore through practice of extreme transcendentalist and mindfulness meditation an individual is able to continually feel the flow of thoughts and emotions without forming an attachment to them.

* But shouldn't this be in the writing section? :L

[thatgothgirluknow]

no its possible aside from random panic attacks for no reason i dont have fear according to my councelar its because of a combination of lack of self value and delayed pain reactions meaning i can not feel pain properly right away witch is why as a kid i learned fast that i could play with fire and not get burned as long as i moved my hand within a minute of touching it tip its not a good idea to put a match out with ur hand as i have done several times

[Elvalight]

Thanks for all the opinions :) Sorry if this should have been in the writing section, but this was more about whether or not fearlessness could be a possibility, less about the story behind it.

[Karkat]

There is actually a medical condition in which people can't feel fear, its just an emotion, sometimes people can't feel a certain one if there brain didn't develop properly or oy came to some sort of damage, well, from what I understand.

Occasionally, bipolar persons/schizophrenic persons who are experiencing mania are incapable of feeling fear. It's not a CONSTANT thing, but it does happen. I've hurt myself quite a bit as a result of this.

[BabyGirl98]

I think that's a really cool concept for a story! It's almost like a "Yes Man" concept (From Jim Carrey's Yes Man).

[IHateShirts]

CosmicNoodle has something you could really use, an extremely rare and intriguing deformity of the brain like that really gives a character a fascinating layer. Just look at the male lead on Syfy's Haven, if you can. He has this thing that only about 26 people on the planet have, where he can't feel pain at all. Make it medical if you want, that's good, but the idea that I had was on the borderline of realistic and stretching to barely fantasy: maybe something happened to this character that was so horrific and so deeply personal that nothing can sway their level of fear anymore. Do with that what you will.

[CosmicNoodle]

Occasionally, bipolar persons/schizophrenic persons who are experiencing mania are incapable of feeling fear. It's not a CONSTANT thing, but it does happen. I've hurt myself quite a bit as a result of this.

I often fall I to states of psychosis and mania as well, I too have hurt myself on multiple occasions during these states.

[Stronk Serb]

Fear is here to warn and help us evade danger. Irrational fear is another thing though. Maybe your character has experienced such mental torture and had so much fear in him that anything else seems like nothing compared to what he's been through.

[thatcountrykid]

I don't think anyone can be fearless but I do believe that people can, for lack of a description, lock it down and do what needs to be done. Hide the fear.


I've know officers who had to clear a huge old factory by themselves and admitted they were scared shitless but just locked it down. It was training and practice.