Why do we experience fear?

Moments of fear grip us all at certain times. Why is that, we always ask. Is it the standard "fight or flight" response that is built into our psyche?

Scientists this week revealed that they in fact know more than in previous years about what causes us to jump when something scares us. It comes down to studying the evolutionary habits of animals in much of the research, and it could lead to better treatments for those folks who have irrational fears that run amok.

In other words, the anxiety disorder could receive a treatment boost if scientists could discover why the brain makes up fears for little reason -- causing some people to live, work, play and sleep in fear. For millions, any new development would be very welcome.