When Fear Gets In The Way
Fear is a natural and essential emotion that we all experience at some point in our lives. It's a response that helps us survive in dangerous situations, but it can also be a hindrance if it's triggered inappropriately.
The fear response can be triggered by a variety of stimuli, including physical danger, social rejection, or even abstract concepts such as the fear of the unknown. The response can vary in intensity depending on the perceived level of danger or threat. For example, a mild fear response might occur when we hear a strange noise in the dark, while a more intense fear response might occur if we were confronted by a dangerous animal.
The fight-flight-freeze-fawn response is our body’s natural reaction to fear, and it's important to understand how these responses work in order to manage and reduce the impact of fear in our lives.
FIGHT
The fight response is characterized by a willingness to confront the threat directly. This response is often seen in animals and humans when they feel physically threatened. For example, if a person is walking down the street and is confronted by a mugger, they may fight back to defend themselves. The fight response can be helpful in certain situations, but it can also be harmful if it's triggered inappropriately, such as during a verbal argument.
FLIGHT
The flight response is characterized by a desire to escape the threat. This response is often seen in animals and humans when they feel physically threatened. For example, if a person is walking down the street and sees a dangerous dog, they may run away to avoid being bitten. The flight response can be helpful in situations where physical escape is necessary, but it can also be harmful if it's triggered inappropriately, such as when avoiding a difficult conversation or event.
FREEZE
The freeze response is characterized by a lack of movement and a desire to go unnoticed. This response is often seen in animals and humans when they feel physically threatened. For example, if a person is confronted by a bear, they may freeze to avoid being seen as a threat. The freeze response can be helpful in situations where remaining still is necessary for safety, but it can also be harmful if it's triggered inappropriately, such as during the decision making process.
fAWN
The fawn response is characterized by a desire to appease the threat. This response is often seen in animals and humans when they feel socially or emotionally threatened. For example, if a person is confronted by a bully, they may try to appease them by agreeing with what they're saying. The fawn response can be helpful in situations where appeasing the threat is necessary for safety, but it can also be harmful if it's triggered inappropriately, such as when agreeing to something that goes against our values.
Understanding the fight-flight-freeze-fawn response is essential for managing fear and anxiety. By recognizing our natural response to fear, we can develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage it. For example, if a person has a fear of public speaking, they may use relaxation techniques like deep breathing or visualization to manage their anxiety. If a person has a fear of spiders, they may use exposure therapy to gradually become more comfortable with them as opposed to the automatic fear response of the above.
In conclusion, the fight-flight-freeze-fawn response is a natural and instinctive reaction to fear. While these responses can be helpful in certain situations, they can also become problematic if triggered too frequently or inappropriately.