Lesson 1
First and foremost, when you are about to head off and confront anything, you should find out exactly what you will be up against.
In this case, what is a boggart? The Ministry of Magic classifies the boggart as a non-being. Put in the simplest terms, a boggart is a shape-shifter. However, it is not a random shape-shifter. What makes a boggart so troublesome is that it takes the shape of whatever it thinks will frighten you the most. A boggart manifests as something different for each individual. No one even knows how a boggart appears when it is alone.
Boggarts are most comfortable living in dark, enclosed spaces. Wardrobes are by far the preferred residence of boggarts. They absolutely love the shadowy interiors of wardrobes. The clothing in closets must make it quite cozy as well. Boggarts have also been seen lurking in the gaps beneath beds, messing around in cupboards under sinks, and hiding in grandfather clocks.
In this case, what is a boggart? The Ministry of Magic classifies the boggart as a non-being. Put in the simplest terms, a boggart is a shape-shifter. However, it is not a random shape-shifter. What makes a boggart so troublesome is that it takes the shape of whatever it thinks will frighten you the most. A boggart manifests as something different for each individual. No one even knows how a boggart appears when it is alone.
Boggarts are most comfortable living in dark, enclosed spaces. Wardrobes are by far the preferred residence of boggarts. They absolutely love the shadowy interiors of wardrobes. The clothing in closets must make it quite cozy as well. Boggarts have also been seen lurking in the gaps beneath beds, messing around in cupboards under sinks, and hiding in grandfather clocks.
Now that you know what a boggart is, on to the next step - identifying your fear. In the Wizarding world, we have seen the boggart take forms for both fears and anxieties.
Fear is an emotional response to a known or suspected threat. During a panic attack, the body releases the hormone adrenaline into the bloodstream. This causes the physical effects you normally associate with fear, including a pounding heart, sweating, and dry mouth. Blood vessels constrict and become narrower to push blood through the body, which can cause chills, dizziness, and fainting. The quick shallow breathing may lead to the uncomfortable feelings of lightheadedness, numbness, twitching, and flushed skin.
Not everyone experiences the the same symptoms or to the same extent as a full-blown panic attack when they are afraid, but everyone will generally agree that is it not a good feeling.
Anxiety is closely related to fear. While fear is a response to an external threat, anxiety is the result of inner worry. Those who are anxious are usually concerned about something that may happen in the future. Anxiety is often associated with nervous behavior, like pacing back and forth, and can even cause pain or headache. You might have one specific spot on your body that always hurts when you are stressed out.
Fear is an emotional response to a known or suspected threat. During a panic attack, the body releases the hormone adrenaline into the bloodstream. This causes the physical effects you normally associate with fear, including a pounding heart, sweating, and dry mouth. Blood vessels constrict and become narrower to push blood through the body, which can cause chills, dizziness, and fainting. The quick shallow breathing may lead to the uncomfortable feelings of lightheadedness, numbness, twitching, and flushed skin.
Not everyone experiences the the same symptoms or to the same extent as a full-blown panic attack when they are afraid, but everyone will generally agree that is it not a good feeling.
Anxiety is closely related to fear. While fear is a response to an external threat, anxiety is the result of inner worry. Those who are anxious are usually concerned about something that may happen in the future. Anxiety is often associated with nervous behavior, like pacing back and forth, and can even cause pain or headache. You might have one specific spot on your body that always hurts when you are stressed out.
Sometimes, fear and anxiety become overwhelming and people can be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Phobias are one type of anxiety disorder. A phobia is an irrational fear that interferes with daily life. As many as one in ten people experience a phobia. The most common phobias are animals, insects, blood or needles, heights, flying, public speaking, and death.
Phobias are divided into three types. Specific phobia is the fear of a particular situation (being in a high place) or object (snakes). Social phobia is the fear of being watched and judged by others, especially being embarrassed in public. This includes stage fright and fear of giving speeches. Agoraphobia is an intense fear of feeling trapped and having a panic attack in public. It typically develops after an episode of spontaneous panic.
Since boggarts want to take the shape of what frightens you the most, it could very likely become your hidden phobia that you do not even admit to yourself!
Phobias are divided into three types. Specific phobia is the fear of a particular situation (being in a high place) or object (snakes). Social phobia is the fear of being watched and judged by others, especially being embarrassed in public. This includes stage fright and fear of giving speeches. Agoraphobia is an intense fear of feeling trapped and having a panic attack in public. It typically develops after an episode of spontaneous panic.
Since boggarts want to take the shape of what frightens you the most, it could very likely become your hidden phobia that you do not even admit to yourself!