Is your wife generally fearful like that or this was a rare occurrence and she can actually have some introspection on that and has a fighting chance of coming on top of that?

I know few folks like that, for them it comes from general lack of understanding of reality, society and human nature, a lot of superstition in various directions and similar traits. Suffice to say its very hard to live up to one's potential in life with such mindset, but such things could be conquered if there is enough resolve.