Detailed The Sims 4 Fears Guide: Causes, Effects and Overcoming Them

With the power of knowledge, you too can fear fears less!

Unlike in The Sims 2 where they are opposite of Wants, The Sims 4 Fears are more of aversions and insecurities Sims can develop from various experiences. These will negatively affect your Sim's everyday life, but these can be conquered through certain interactions.

Knowledge is power, and with power comes less fear! Let's take a look how each of these fears work, how they are caused, and how to remove them!

About Fears

The Sims 4 Fears were added in patch 132 (before the release of High School Years) with the Wants and Fears feature. Fears are additional traits Sims can develop from their experiences. Having these will add more challenge to the game as your Sim will have difficulties in certain areas. Wants and Fears can be turned on and off through Gameplay Options (which can be different for each save).

Whenever an event that can cause fears happens, your Sim has a chance to earn a Fear trait from it. If your Sim gets it, you will get a notification on it and either a Scared or Tense moodlet depending on the fear. There are few factors that can affect every Fear chance:

In addition, most of the fears have additional modifiers that can affect the chance. Most of them have traits that encourage the Fear and traits that discourage it (sometimes making it unobtainable without cheats). Some Fears have preventing traits, meaning if your Sim has one of these traits, they cannot get this fear even with cheats.

The main method to remove fears is through Confrontation Goals. These appear as the fourth Want, which gives your Sim a goal after which they may remove their fear and earn some Satisfaction Points. The Confrontation Goals are different for each Fear and doing these actions while not having the goal currently active will not remove the fear. Unlike wants, Confrontation Goals cannot be pinned, but having a fear will guarantee one appearing the next time Wants refresh. Some Fears have alternative removal options and there are some features that can remove any Fear.

There are a total of 25 Fears in The Sims 4. Fears come from:

Let's take a look at each fear in the game! We'll go over the descriptions, how to trigger it so your Sim gains the fear, what effects they have them, and how to overcome these.

Base Game

Fear of Being Cheated On

Description: [Sim Name] needs to talk with their partner and soon. Otherwise, [Sim Name]'s relationship will continue to have problems unless they finds a way to deal with it.

Codename: trait_Fear_BeingCheatedOn

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: Rarely after waking up when in a relationship (1%), being jealous over significant other flirting or WooHooing, learning about significant other's cheating scandal (Royalty & Legacy).

Encouraging Traits: Non-Committal, Jealous, Paranoid

Preventing Traits: All Romantic Boundaries open

Effects:
While having this fear, your Sim's relationship losses (both Friendship and Romance tracks) are doubled with every Sim.

If the Sim catches their significant other flirting, they may either get a +1 Angry moodlet called "Always Time for Them" or +1 Sad moodlet called "Are They Better?". If they catch their significant other WooHooing another Sim, they'll receive +3 Angry moodlet called "I Knew It!" while losing 50 more points in their Romantic relationship.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Talk Over Relationship Fears with Significant Other". This can be found under Romance/Affection category. Simply click on your Sim's significant other and have them perform this interaction. This goal has to be successfully fulfilled twice within 2 days to fully remove this fear.

Alternatively, the fear will go away once your Sim breaks up with their significant other, becomes a widow, or calls off the wedding while exchanging vows.

With Crystal Creations Stuff Pack, wearing accessory or being around a gemstone cut made from diamond will also remove this fear once charged.

Fear of Being Judged

Description: Those judgmental eyes feel like they are staring right at [Sim Name]!

Codename: trait_Fear_BeingJudged

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 100% chance when targeted with Mean interactions by at least 4 different Sims within the 36 hour period (3 days, 12 hours).
Teens can also obtain this fear if they have more Disliked Sims than Friends. This will be checked every time the teen gets the Disliked status with a new Sim.
With Businesses & Hobbies, Sims running a Small Business with Virtuous Alignment may also get this fear.

Preventing Traits: Self-Assured

Effects:
When socializing with other Sims, it is easy for the conversation to begin in an Awkward state. This will make building relationships, especially new ones, a bit more difficult.

Every time the Sim visits another lot, there's a 50% chance of receiving a +1 Uncomfortable moodlet called "Judging Me Softly" for 4 hours. Socializing with this moodlet carries a 5% chance of getting a +3 Embarrassed moodlet called "Judging Eyes" for 6 hours.

They also have a higher chance of receiving negative consequences from Park Worker career chance cards.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Figure Out Differences with Other Sims". For this, you have to run Figure Out Differences interaction on two different Sims, located under Friendly/Deep Thoughts. If this interaction fails, it'll be unavailable for 3 hours.

Fear of Cowplants

Description: One bite from a Cowplant and it could all be over! [Sim Name] would prefer to keep away from Cowplants for now. The potted plant in the corner looks like it's up to no good.

Codename: trait_Fear_Cowplant

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 60% chance after being eaten and spat out by a Cowplant.

Preventing Traits: Green Fiend, Super Green Thumb, Plantsim

Effects:
Prevents your Sim from gardening activities and interacting with plants due to being afraid of them. The only exception is milking a Cowplant.
Being near a Cowplant will give the Sim a +2 Scared moodlet called "Fear the Great Cowplant".
Will never get the want to feed a Cowplant.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Milk a Cowplant", which sees your Sim milking a Cowplant while in Confident mood. In order to milk a Cowplant, it needs to have recently eaten a Sim and either drained them or killed them.
In Enchanted by Nature Expansion Pack, consuming Hooked on Nature will also remove this fear. This can be crafted once your Sim has 4 levels in Apothecary skill, using 1x Acorns and 3x Lump of Moss.

Fear of Crowded Places

Description: There are too many Sims around right now! [Sim Name] will be tense if around too many Sims on the same lot.

Codename: trait_Fear_CrowdedPlaces

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 10% chance when becoming Uncomfortable or Embarrassed near at least 8 Sims.

Encouraging Traits: Loner

Preventing Traits: Self-Assured, Outgoing

Effects:
Whenever your Sim finds themselves in a space with at least 8 other Sims (children and older), they can gain an Uncomfortable moodlet called "Too Many Sims" for 4 hours. If they are still in the crowded place once the moodlet expires, they'll gain a Tense moodlet called "Need to Escape" for 6 hours instead, which will disable all the Funny and Romantic interactions.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Be Funny in a Crowded Place". For this, your Sim needs to be funny to 3 different Sims while having the 'Too Many Sims' moodlet. Once your Sim receives this moodlet, use these 4 hours to do Funny interactions with 3 different Sims. If the moodlet begins to expire, send your Sim to a less crowded place or these Funny interactions will be disabled for 6 hours.

Fear of Dead-End Job

Description: [Sim Name] is questioning if there is a future with their career. [Sim Name]'s job performance will suffer and they will return from work sad.

Codename: trait_Fear_DeadEndJob

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 5% chance when returning from work with a tiny or negative Performance change while being below level 6 in the career track. Being in a Lay-Off Period will make it easier for your Sim to obtain this Fear. Your Sim must have worked at least 3 days in the career first.

This chance is increased by the following:

And decreased by Happy, Confident, Energized, Focused, and Inspired emotions. Being promoted recently also prevents this fear. In addition, Doctors, Detectives, Scientists, and Actors are unable to gain this fear.

Effects:
Gives a negative Performance modifier when your Sim is at work. If there are no positive modifiers, this could easily push your Sim's Work Performance into negative, which can result in demotions or getting fired.

Every time your Sim returns from work, they'll gain a +1 Sad moodlet called "Passionless Job".

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Complete a Day of Work Ready for New Challenges". For this, simply click on your Sim before they go to work and select the 'Regain Passion' interaction. If your Sim gains an Inspired/Focused moodlet called "New Challenges", you are good to go (for a day)! However, your Sim can fail and gain a Tense moodlet called "Nothing Good From This Job" instead, which disables the interaction for 6 hours.
This fear can be also removed by losing the job, either by quitting or getting fired. Teens dropping out/getting expelled from high school in High School Years Expansion Pack also works.

Fear of Death

Description: [Sim Name] will avoid participating in risky behaviors and will be too afraid to interact with the Grim Reaper.

Codename: trait_Fear_Death

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 5% when doing something that can result in a death or having a Sim close to your Sim die, 3% when witnessing death (unless they're Good Friends with the Grim Reaper or in Reaper career)
5% chance when becoming an elder.
When creating a Sim through CAS Stories, there are questions from Life & Death Expansion Pack which could result in your Sim starting off with this fear when choosing certain answers.

Discouraging Traits: Childhood Grief Survivor

Effects:
There is a reason why your Sim would like to avoid risky behaviors: some of these now have a heightened chance for your Sims to die! More precisely:

They are also more likely to lose vampire fights and magic duels (unless they are friendly sparring).
In Island Living, they are less likely to touch lava stones.
In addition, your Sim will be unable to plead with the Grim Reaper in any way, be it... well... pleading or challenging him to a game. The only methods available are giving a Death Flower or using a Voodoo Doll to Toy With Death.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Discuss Fears of Death". There are multiple ways to complete this goal:

Alternatively, this fear is removed when drinking the Potion of Youth or befriending the Grim Reaper.
If a Sim has Chased by Death trait from Life & Death, they have a special interaction under Friendly Stories called Discuss Near-Death Experiences. This interaction can remove this fear from other Sims.

Fear of Failure

Description: [Sim Name] will start to question whether or not they are capable and have difficulty creating quality objects and struggle at work.

Codename: trait_Fear_Failure

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 50 % chance when Crafting a poor quality item or returning from a workday with lower performance at least twice within 2 days. The chance is higher when in a lay-off period.
50% chance when quitting a job while having low performance (-60) in it. Also when being fired or laid off from a job.

Encouraging Traits: Perfectionist, Low Self-Esteem

Discouraging Traits: High Self-Esteem

Effects:
Will negatively affect your Sim's Work Performance. Working Hard will have diminished performance boost.
Crafts your Sim makes will have lower quality. This carries a 15% chance of giving your Sim a Sad moodlet called "Never Good Enough" for 3 hours.
When waking up, they have 10% chance to earn a Sad moodlet called "Which Failure Awaits Today?" for 3 hours.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Become Recognized for Work". There are two ways to complete it:

If one of these fails, your Sim will have to wait 4 hours before they can show something off again.

Fear of Fire

Description: [Sim Name] will want to run away and hide from fire and has an increased chance of starting fires accidentally.

Codename: trait_Fear_Fire

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 50% chance when being near fire, 20% chance when seeing a Sim die by fire.

Effects:
Will disable interactions with fireplaces, campfires, and bonfires.
Has a higher chance of starting a fire while cooking.
Whenever they use a grill, they will cook lower quality food.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Extinguish Fire". For this, you'll simply have to extinguish fire any way you can, be it with fire extinguisher, Sim Ray, or a spell.
Fires will easily happen when cooking. Alternatively, feel free to use alternative methods to cause fire, such as lighting fireworks indoors.

Fear of Ghosts

Description: [Sim Name] won't want to remain near Ghosts for too long and might start believing Ghosts could be anywhere even when alone.

Codename: trait_Fear_Ghosts

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 1% when seeing a ghost or a ghost possessing an object.
When creating a Sim through CAS Stories, there are questions from Life & Death Expansion Pack which could result in your Sim starting off with this fear when choosing certain answers.

Discouraging Traits: Skeptical, Macabre

Preventing Traits: Gloomy, Brave, Adventurous

Effects:
After every 6 hours there's a 10% chance for your Sim to earn a Scared moodlet called "Did That Move?" for 2 hours.
When they are near a ghost, they will start panicking. They'll also gain a Scared moodlet called "It's Baaaaack" for 4 hours.
When they are near a ghost, they are more likely to fight them.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Fight a Ghost". For this, your Sim will have to find a ghost, fight it, and win the fight. Have your Sim be near graves or urns at nighttime, use ghost summoning methods, or if you have Get Together, simply visit a bar on a Wednesday between 8 PM to 2 AM.
In terms of fighting, improving your Sim's Fitness skill won't hurt. When choosing an opponent, try to choose a human ghost whenever possible as vampire and werewolf ghosts tend to be stronger.

Fear of Swimming

Description: [Sim Name] will be too scared of swimming in the water and run out immediately if they somehow end up in the water.

Codename: trait_Fear_Swimming

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: Swimming while feeling exhausted from low energy (100%).
50% chance when seeing another Sim die by drowning.
25% when experiencing base game negative swimming events. The chance is lower when Natural Living skill is mastered. The swimming events include:

Preventing Traits: Child of the Ocean, Mermaid, Master of the Sea

Effects:
If left on their own, these Sims will never go swimming on their own.
Whenever your Sim goes swimming, they'll gain a Scared moodlet called "No More Water" while they are swimming. They will prioritize exiting the water as soon as possible. This effect won't happen when your Sim is feeling Confident.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Confidently Swim for an Hour". First your Sim must become Confident. For this, you can use a mirror, brush teeth, or even drink a Confident Potion from the Rewards Store! After that, your Sim will have to swim a hour in pool. As long as they are feeling Confident, they won't attempt to flee from there.

Fear of The Dark

Description: [Sim Name] will be afraid during the nighttime and may struggle to stay asleep! Any little bump in the night will wake them up.

Codename: trait_Fear_Dark

Life Stages: Children and older

Trigger: 25% chance when being scared outdoors during nighttime. Mastering Natural Living skill will drastically reduce the chance.
25% chance when a child discovers a monster under their bed or when failing certain Park Worker chance cards.
50% chance when being abducted by aliens.

Preventing Traits: Gloomy, Brave, Vampire

Effects:
When your Sim has slept for at least 2 hours, they have a 10% chance to wake up startled. This event gives your Sim a Scared moodlet called "What Was That Noise?" for 4 hours.
If your Sim is outdoors during the nighttime, they'll get a Scared moodlet called "Afraid of the Dark" for 3 and a quarter hours.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Feel Confident Outside at Night". For this, your Sim will have to be in a Confident mood outdoors during nighttime. For this, you can use a mirror, brush teeth, or drink a Confident Potion from the Rewards Store.

Fear of Unfulfilled Dreams

Description: [Sim Name] feels unfulfilled and dissatisfied with how life is going. [Sim Name] will occasionally become upset with their life direction.

Codename: trait_Fear_Unfulfilled

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 10% chance when not fulfilling any wants within 3 days. The chance is higher when Tense or Sad. Completing an aspiration track will eliminate the chance for the fear to appear.

Discouraging Traits: Lazy, Professional Slacker

Effects:
When your Sim wakes up, they'll earn a Tense moodlet called "Missing Out on Dreams" for 4 hours. If don't complete a want when this moodlet expires, they'll earn a Sad moodlet called "Purpose of Life" for 4 hours instead. This can turn into an Angry moodlet called "Losing Control" for 4 hours, during which they'll throw tantrums.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Discuss Fears after Fulfilling Wants". For this, fulfill a want first and then find another Sim to Discuss Fears with. The interaction must succeed, so try to find a Sim friendly to yours!

Fear of Being Burgled

Description: [Sim Name] is nervous around burglars. They will avoid interacting with the burglar and try to run away.

Codename: trait_Fear_BeingBurgled

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 20% chance when having an item be stolen by a burglar or when losing a fight against a burglar.

Discouraging Traits: Brave

Effects:
After every 6 hours, there's 50% chance to earn a Scared moodlet called "No More Pesky Burglars!" for 8 hours. This also happens when routing to safety when a burglary occurs. While having this moodlet, your Sim will be unable to confront or fight burglars, even when not feeling Scared.

When a burglary occurs, they will always panic (unless they have Brave trait).

Overcoming Method:
In order to overcome this fear, your Sim has to complete two confrontation goals related to that within 2 days. There are three confrontation goals that can appear, with 50% chance of it immediately moving onto the next goal. The goals are:

Fear of Magic

Description: [Sim Name] has been frightened by magic. Having another negative experience could escalate this fear into paranoia. Talking to others about debunking magic will solve this fear.

Codename: trait_Fear_Magic

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 7% chance when targeted with a negative Spellcaster or Fairy spell. Negative spells include:

Encouraging Traits: Paranoid

Discouraging Traits: Mystical, Spellcaster, Fairy

Effects:
Being near teen or older occult Sims (with exception of mermaids and fairies who need to be in their secondary form to give this effect) or being targeted with those negative spells listed above will give your Sim a Scared moodlet called "Paranoid From Magic" for 2 hours. This will cause the Sim to run away from them scared.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Discuss Debunking Magic". For this, your Sim has to Talk about Debunking Magic, which is found under Friendly Small Talk. This interaction comes in few different namings, such as:

Your Sim has to succeed this interaction 3 times. Good relationship and good mood can help it to succeed better. Interestingly, doing it with an occult Sim won't affect its success rate.

Alternatively, having another fairy turn your Sim into one also removes this fear.

Do note that removing the fear with means other than confrontation goal will make it easy for your Sim to re-obtain it when near manifested occult Sims.

High School Years

Fear of Disappointing Parents

Description: Oh no. What are they going to think? [Sim Name] will not be able to relax and will have difficulty living up to their parent's expectations.

Codename: Trait_Fear_DisappointingParents

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 10% chance when returning from school with poor performance or lowering the grade while having the Fear of Failing Classes. 50% chance when dropping out of high school.
For this fear, the teen must have at least one parent or grandparent. Having good relationship with them or Trusting sentiment increases the chance while bad relationship or Suspicious sentiment decreases the chance.

Encouraging Traits: Low Self-Esteem

Discouraging Traits: High Self-Esteem

Effects:
While having this fear, your Sim's Friendship relationship losses are doubled.

Whenever your Sim is near their parents or grandparents, they'll gain an Uncomfortable moodlet called "Am I Good Enough?" until they get away from the parents or grandparents.

When your Sim wakes up, they'll gain a Tense moodlet called "Must Prove Myself" for 3 hours.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal depends on whether Sim's parents are still alive or not.

Fear of Failing After-School Activities

Description: [Sim Name] will occasionally relive their moment of failure and all of the emotions that came with it!

Codename: Trait_Fear_Failing_AfterSchoolActivities

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 30% chance when losing a game in a high school's After-School Activity Team (Cheer, Chess, Computer, and Football).

Encouraging Traits: Low Self-Esteem

Discouraging Traits: High Self-Esteem

Effects:
When your Sim wakes up on a game day, they'll gain a Tense moodlet called "Weight of the Competition" for 4 hours.

When your Sim loses another game day, they'll gain a Sad moodlet called "Another Failure" for 4 hours.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Complete After School Task While Happy". For this, simply complete the Daily Task for the After-School Activity while your Sim is feeling happy. The tasks are one of them:

One day isn't enough. Once completed the first time, it must be completed again within 2 days to fully conquer the fear.

Alternatively, leaving their current After-School Activity will also remove this fear.

Fear of Failing Classes

Description: [Sim Name] is feeling the pressure of passing their classes. [Sim Name] will occasionally have trouble focusing in class due to the pressure.

Codename: Trait_Fear_Failing_Class

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 30% chance after returning from high school with poor performance while having grade C or below.

Encouraging Traits: Low Self-Esteem

Discouraging Traits: High Self-Esteem

Preventing Traits: Lazy

Effects:
When your Sim arrives at school, they'll gain a Tense moodlet called "Must Pay Attention" for 4 hours.

When your Sim gets a grade demotion, they'll gain a Tense moodlet called "Failing" for 12 hours. This has a chance to also add Fear of Disappointing Parents.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Complete Extra Credit". This can be done on homework after the main homework part is complete. This is automatically unlocked for Overachievers and for Sims who have the school grade of B or A. For other Sims, they gain an interaction called Ask for Extra Credit from any teacher. Completing this interaction successfully opens a 12 hour window to complete extra credit.

Alternatively, finishing the high school career (through age-up, graduating early, dropping out, or being expelled) also removes this fear.

Fear of Failing Tests

Description: [Sim Name] does not want to fail another test! [Sim Name]'s test taking skills will be affected by their mood more than usual!

Codename: Trait_Fear_Failing_Tests

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 30% chance when finishing an Exam Day with no medal, 20% chance when finishing it with Bronze medal.

Encouraging Traits: Low Self-Esteem

Discouraging Traits: High Self-Esteem

Effects:
When your Sim wakes up when there are at least 2 days left until the Exam, they'll gain a Tense moodlet called "Must Be Prepared" for 3 hours. When there's less than 24 hours left until the Exams, they'll gain a Scared moodlet called "Test Day!" for 7 hours instead.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Prepare for Test". For this, your Sim has to complete Study for Exam interaction on their homework 2 times within 4 days. It matters not whether your Sim is successful at it or not (completing the homework beforehand will raise the chances of success).

Alternatively, finishing an Exam Day with Gold Medal also removes this fear.
Finishing the high school career (through age-up, graduating early, dropping out, or being expelled) should also remove this fear. If not, dropping out of university should do the trick!

Fear of Homework

Description: [Sim Name] didn't realize until now that homework is not just a suggestion but a requirement to get good grades and learn! [Sim Name] will occasionally tense up when thinking about finishing their homework.

Codename: Trait_Fear_Homework

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 75% chance after returning from high school when the homework wasn't completed at least 3 days straight. For this fear, the school grade has to be on C or lower.

Encouraging Traits: Low Self-Esteem

Discouraging Traits: High Self-Esteem

Effects:
When your Sim haven't completed their homework, their school performance will get a negative modifier.

When your Sim returns from school, they have 25% chance to receive a Tense moodlet called "Should Finish Homework" for 3 hours. This moodlet will be removed immediately once the homework is completed.

When completing a homework without having the confrontation goal, they'll gain a Tense moodlet called "Nothing Absorbed" for 3 hours.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Complete Homework while Focused". You'll first need to get your Sim in Focused mood (done by playing chess, browsing Simpedia on computer etc). When your Sim is Focused, have them do the homework and complete it.

Alternatively, raising the high school grade to B or A will also remove this fear or when their high school career finishes (through age-up, graduating early, dropping out, or being expelled).

Growing Together

Fear of Being Inferior

Description: [Sim Name] is afraid that they will never measure up and struggles with confidence. When losing confidence they will become tense. They will also become easily embarrassed when criticized or energized when their effort is praised.

Codename: trait_Fear_Inferior

Life Stages: Children

Trigger: 0.25% chance when losing Childhood Confidence, no matter how much. 50% when lost due to certain interactions done to a child (the usual fear modifiers besides having recently conquered a fear will not count in this case). The 50% chance interactions include:

Encouraging Traits: Low Confidence

Discouraging Traits: High Confidence

Effects:
Whenever your Sim wakes up, there's a 10% chance to earn a Sad moodlet called "How Will I Measure Up?" for 4 hours. While your Sim has that moodlet, they will complete their homework a little slower and have their Inspired, Confident, and Focused moodlets go away 2 times faster.

Whenever your Sim is near another Sim who is feeling Inspired, Confident, or Focused, they'll earn a Tense moodlet called "They are So Brilliant" for 4 hours. During that time, moodlets for these three emotions will go away 2 times faster.

These Sims are more likely to reject sword duels, even though children are unable to do that.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Confront Fear of inferiority". For this your Sim will have to either be praised for their efforts, improve their school grade to B or above, or raise a skill past level 5. This needs to be completed two times to remove this fear, which usually means that it has to be worked towards in 2 different days.

This fear will automatically go away once the child ages up to teen.

Horse Ranch

Fear of Horses

Description: What a massive creature! One wrong move and everything could go wrong. [Sim Name] won't be able to interact with horses until they Confronts the Fear.

Codename: trait_Fear_Horses

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 100% chance after having too many negative interactions with horses. There is a commodity responsible for this fear, which has 60% chance to raise after each interaction (with traits and emotions affecting it). It rises by 1 when a social interaction with a horse is rejected and 1.5 when the horse initiates a mean interaction towards the Sim (like biting). Once the commodity reaches 7 points, you'll get a warning. Once it reaches 10, your Sim will gain this fear.

On other words, in short time, your Sim needs to:

Encouraging Traits: Paranoid

Discouraging Traits: Adventurous, Horse Lover

Effects:
While having this fear, your Sim will be unable to interact with horses any way due to them being too terrified to interact with them. This includes taking care of them, to which the game suggests an Animal Feeder to feed horses and a Ranch Hand to clean horses.

When near horses, these Sims tend to freeze in fear for a moment. After that, they'll react to horses that way again in 40 minutes.

These Sims don't need to be bitten twice to gain a Bitter Sentiment from being bitten by a horse.

When riding a horse, these Sims tend to earn negative moodlets from it.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear comes in two steps:

For Rent

Fear of Eviction

Description: [Sim Name] is terrified that an Eviction is right around the corner. Every phone call, every knock on the door could be the Property Owner ready to finally kick them out of their home.

Codename: trait_Fear_Eviction

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 40% chance when confronted with missed payment, 20% chance when confronted with breaking the unit rules. Only up to 2 Sims in the household at the time can have this fear.

Encouraging Traits: Perfectionist, Paranoid, Overachiever

Preventing Traits: Lazy

Effects:
From time to time, these Sims will check their phone on their own and sigh. This will result in a Tense moodlet called "Phone Anxiety" for 3 hours. This idle interaction will be first performed as soon as this fear is obtained.

Every time someone knocks on your Sim's door, they'll gain a Scared moodlet called "Who is Here?" until the Sim is greeted. This will also happen when a Sim breaks in (as long as the front door is interacted with).

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear is "Successfully Socialize with the Property Owner". For this, your Sim has to succeed 3 Friendly or Romantic Interaction with one of their teen or older Property Owners (as Residential Rentals are owned by a whole household, not by an individual Sim). This has to be completed twice within 2 days to overcome this fear.

This fear will also be removed when your Sim gets evicted or Gives Notice in Writing to move out.

Lovestruck

Fear of Being Alone

Description: [Sim Name] is experiencing intense anxiety and fear due to decreased romantic satisfaction in their relationship. If left alone, they will become tense and sad as their satisfaction decreases.

Codename: trait_Fear_BeingAlone

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: 10% chance when Romantic Satisfaction reaches Unsatisfied level, 20% chance when it reaches Very Unsatisfied level.

Encouraging Traits: Lovebug, Unflirty, Cat Lover

Discouraging Traits: Loner, Hungry for Love lifestyle

Effects:
While having this fear, your Sim loses Friendship 1.2 times faster and Romance 1.3 times faster.

If your Sim is lonely for too long, they'll gain a Tense moodlet called "Fearful Solitude" until they are near another Sim with good relationship. With this moodlet, your Sim's Social need decays 5 times faster.

Occasionally they'll gain a Sad moodlet called "Seeking Solace" for 3 hours. During that time, the Romantic Relationships and Satisfaction decay 1.5 times faster and Romantic Satisfaction grows grow half as slowly.

Sims gain a new Romantic Affection interaction called Beg For Validation with their romantic partner. If this interaction fails, they'll gain a Tense moodlet called "Burdened Feelings" for 3 hours and 20 minutes, which will make both Friendship and Romance relationship decays 1.5 times faster.

Overcoming Method:
This fear has multiple confrontation goals, only one of them will make the fear go away. One will randomly appear, with the first ones appearing more often than others. Completing each confrontation goal holds a 50% chance of bringing up the next goal in the list. The confrontation goals go as follows:

Alternatively, this fear will be removed once the Sims break up. Perfect if the relationship just isn't going well at all. Cupid's Corner will be there to tempt your Sim to find a new partner.

Fear of Intimacy

Description: [Sim Name] struggles with physical and emotional connections. They find it difficult to trust people, be vulnerable, and create genuinely meaningful relationships.

Codename: trait_Fear_Intimacy

Life Stages: Young adults and older

Trigger: 45% chance after failing too many Romantic interactions. The chance is increased by Encouraging Traits and having the Romance skill on level 4 or lower.
Your Sim needs to fail at least 20 Romantic interactions in a short time. Once your Sim fails at least 10 times, you will get a warning notification.

Encouraging Traits: Non-Committal, Unflirty, Socially Awkward, Romantically Reserved

Discouraging Traits: Lovebug

Effects:
While having this fear, your Sim's relationship losses (both Friendship and Romance tracks) are 1.5 times higher with every Sim.

When your Sim fails certain interactions, they'll gain a Tense moodlet called "Emotional Walls" for 2 hours. With this moodlet, most of the Romantic Interactions will be disabled. Some interactions that can cause this are:

No matter if a Romantic interaction with physical touch (be it hugging, kissing, WooHoo etc.) succeeds or fails, these Sims gain a Tense moodlet called "Touch Sensitivity" for 4 hours after doing one. During this time, they are unable to perform social interactions with touching (even friendly hugs) and will most likely reject any Physical Intimacy interactions.

Overcoming Method:
This fear has multiple confrontation goals, only one of them will make the fear go away. One will randomly appear, with the first ones appearing more often than others. Completing each confrontation goal holds a 50% chance of bringing up the next goal in the list. The confrontation goals go as follows:

Businesses & Hobbies

Fear of Being Exposed

Description: [Sim Name] suspects those whispers seem to be about them and feel uneasy about it!

Codename: trait_Fear_BeingCanceled

Life Stages: Teens and older

Trigger: Running a Small Business with Nefarious Alignment.

Effects:
These Sims have a higher chance to fail social interactions with Sims more aligned with Dreamer businesses. Dreamer Sims tend to have Idealist, Good, Loyal, Ambitious, Bro, Cheerful, Generous, Insider, Overachiever, Proper, Wise, Green Fiend, Lovebug, and Creative traits. The more of these traits the Sim has, the less successful will your Sim be socializing with them.

Every time they fail a social interaction with any Sim, they'll gain an Embarrassed moodlet called "Did I Say Something Wrong?" for 2 hours.

When running a Small Business, your Sim will get an Uncomfortable moodlet called "Am I the Drama?" for 2 hours.

Overcoming Method:
The confrontation goal for this fear comes in two steps:

Alternative Overcoming Methods

Completing Confrontation Goals is one thing, but there are also other methods to remove the Fears your Sim may have (besides alternative methods some Fears have). Some of them remove one Fear while others remove all of them. Let's take a look at the alternative methods for every Fear!

In the Rewards Store, you can find a potion called Fear-Be-Gone for 300 Satisfaction Points. When your Sim drinks it, you can choose one Fear to remove from them.

If your Sim is good friends with a horse with Brave trait, a new Friendly interaction becomes available when your Sim has at least one Fear: Bask in Horse Bravery. Once done successfully, all of your Sim's Fears will be removed. And as an added bonus, they'll be immune to new ones while they have the Confident moodlets received from the interaction (as mentioned in the first section). This can be performed again after 2 days.

On level 9 in the Apothecary skill, Sims can craft an ointment called Fearless with x2 Acorn, x2 Confident Emotion Potion, and x3 Small Critter Bone. When a Sim consumes it, they will lose every Fear they currently have.

If Show Wants & Fears is turned off in Gameplay Options, all the Sims in the save will lose all the Fears they have. Fears can also be removed with traits.remove_trait cheat, more about it here.

Conclusion

There are various The Sims 4 Fears, some appearing more often, some having more gameplay effect than others. Every Fear has their own methods to remove them, with a few of them removing all of them. Fears can be turned off through Gameplay Options alongside Wants.

So, what do you think about Fears? Any stories from your game to share? Or just questions about them? Feel free to share them in the comments below!