The fearless woman
By Cahaya
@cahaya1983 (11116)
Malaysia
November 11, 2015 8:37pm CST
Have you heard of the fearless woman?
Her name is S.M. She's the woman who is unable to experience fear and anxiety because of a rare genetic condition called the Urbach-Wiethe disease.
Before you start thinking about how cool this is though, you might want to know that this condition also makes her incapable of recognizing negative emotions or social cues in other people. She's unable to respond to danger. She can't even relate to sad or scary music.
Try to make a mental list of your fears. Now think about living your life not being afraid of any of those things.
What do you think your life would be like?
Snakes are one of the most feared animals and can trigger amygdala action in the brain. Photo courtesy of wallpaperbase.com Franklin D. Roosevelt once said that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” A woman referred to as “Patient SM” takes Roos
16 people like this
16 responses
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
13 Nov 15
Oh my! That's another rare genetic condition for sure. It sounds very strange not to be able to feel pain.
2 people like this
@wiLLmaH (8802)
• Singapore, Singapore
12 Nov 15
@cahaya1983 We are fearless in so many ways. But fearful to at our own right. haha!
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
12 Nov 15
Haha it would be nice to get rid of that fear but not sure if I'm willing to trade that with not having any fear at all!
2 people like this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
12 Nov 15
@cahaya1983 I just heard of this condition. I wonder if there is any way to treat this condition.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
12 Nov 15
That's what I thought too. It's an impairment more than anything.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
13 Nov 15
@salonga I have no idea. There were previous cases too but I don't know if they were ever treated or it was even possible to cure it.
2 people like this
@sofssu (23662)
•
13 Nov 15
@cahaya1983 Exactly how does one enjoy life devoid of emotions.. It a mere existence.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
13 Nov 15
That's exactly what I thought when I read that article. Plus I can't imagine not being able to relate to other people's negative emotions. You can't tell if someone is in fear or pain.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
12 Nov 15
I like that quote! I can't help wondering if she knows what it's like to feel brave since she doesn't know what it feels like to be afraid.
1 person likes this
@Beatburn (4286)
• Philippines
12 Nov 15
Thanks. @cahaya1983 I guess she can define it but to know what it is that might be difficult for her.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
14 Nov 15
I'm sure it's very difficult. It's hard to live a normal life when you can't relate to people's negative emotions and social cue.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136769)
• India
12 Nov 15
Fear is an essential part of our safe living as we also have the mechanism to keep it in check.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
12 Nov 15
That's right. I think fear only makes us human. Plus I think it's even necessary to help us survive dangerous situations.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
13 Nov 15
That is true. If you can't recognize that a situation is dangerous you wouldn't be able to act and save yourself.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
13 Nov 15
I can't either. From what I've read she also has kids, so I can't help wondering how she keeps her children away from danger if she can't recognize it in the first place.
@cmoneyspinner (9219)
• Austin, Texas
17 Jan 17
If you're totally fearless or extremely fearful, it's not good either way. I have never heard of this disease but I sure hope they will find a cure. We humans don't realize that we are “wonderfully made” until something on us breaks. This post reminds me again not take anything for granted.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
18 Jan 17
So true! I think the mindset that the grass is always greener on the other side is so prevalent that people hardly reflect on the blessings that they already have anymore. 
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
12 Nov 15
True. I can't imagine what it's like to not be able to respond in a dangerous situation.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
17 Nov 15
It is a rare condition, I actually didn't know about this health condition until I read her case.
@joylol (148)
• Austin, Texas
13 Nov 15
When I first saw this topic, I actually got terrified. It's just scary because when you're strong nobody ever ask if your ok due to their high admiration of you. You walk life alone but atleast your heart having anxiety or sadness adds to your abiltiy to connect to everyone's imperfections.
Also, strong people only tend to exist as favors since people want to get their mind off of things. They aren't really seen as a person. They're seen more as people that are only used to be an esape. Love isnt just helping negative but also about seeing the postive aspect of indivualites. It is about helping negative parts of life but also enjoying the positive aspect of people.
What's worse is that I wanna form a meaningful connection with S.M. but I don't know if I really could. The thing is I don't want a relationship based off of pity. I believe pity is the lowest form of qualities because pity is being sorry for who is the person is while compassion is seeing the positive in the person and being sorry for what happened to the person. I have many fears but my main one is not being able to connect with anyone. It seems strange but... I hope... I never grow up to be a fearless person.
It's too scary not being able to connect with anyone imperfections. You only get to know what a person considers important by what pains them.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
13 Nov 15
Very true. It is scary. Even worse when I think about how many people would take advantage of her health condition, how her family deals with that (since she is married and has children of her own), etc. I read that she did receive threats and was victimized a few times. I have many fears myself, but I also believe that those fears make me human and I would never wish to be fearless.
1 person likes this
@troyburns (1405)
• New Zealand
12 Nov 15
What a strange condition! I've read about poor connectivity in the amygdala leading to overly aggressive behaviour, but this is the first I've heard of it stunting the ability to feel afraid. Looks like the association between "fight or flight" responses is closer than I realised.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
13 Nov 15
It is very strange. I had no idea about this condition until I read her case. Apparently there were previous cases too, of other people suffering (although I'm not sure if that is the appropriate term) from this particular condition.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
13 Nov 15
Yes there are more details on Wikipedia. There's even a page on that woman on Wikipedia. You can read more about her life there.
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
12 Nov 15
It would, wouldn't it. It must be so awkward (although she probably feels very normal).
