pelko

Pelko is a basic emotion in humans and many animals, characterized by an aversive response to perceived threat. In Finnish, pelko translates to fear. It serves an adaptive function by promoting avoidance of danger and preparation for fight or flight. In psychology, fear refers to responses to immediate threats, while anxiety typically concerns future or uncertain threats. Pelko can become maladaptive when intense, persistent, or disproportionate to the situation, contributing to anxiety disorders such as specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder, as well as panic disorder.

Physiological responses to fear include increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, dilated pupils, and heightened alertness, mediated by neural circuits involving the amygdala and other brain regions. Fear can be learned through conditioning or observed in others and is influenced by genetic and neurobiological factors. Triggers vary widely, from dangerous situations to social evaluation or imagined threats. Normal fear is typically short-lived and fades with experience or coping strategies, whereas maladaptive fear persists despite cues of safety.

Diagnosis is usually based on clinical assessment of distress and impairment. Treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure techniques, mindfulness-based approaches, and, when appropriate, medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or short-term benzodiazepines. Self-help strategies include gradual exposure, relaxation techniques, and information about the fear.

Cultural context and individual differences shape how pelko is experienced and expressed. Recognizing when fear is protective versus when it impairs functioning is a common aim in clinical and educational settings.