What is the definition of Altered Fear?

Altered fear is like when your brain decides to spice up the spice pack of phobias. Imagine if your fear of spiders got a little too excited and started saying, "Oh no, this little critter might just start a spider cult!" Or picture a world where the fear of heights is so ramped up, it turns into a high-pitched scream while you're about to take the elevator – "Geez, I'd rather be stuck on the ground than in a skyscraper!" It's the kind of fear that turns a simple phobia into a full-blown, slightly madcap terror experience.