Stress responses Flashcards
(13 cards)
What are the 5 stress responses?
- Fight
- Flight
- Freeze
- Flop
- Fawn
When are stress responses triggered?
When are bodies sense danger and the instinctual/reactionary parts of our brain turn on, causing the front of our brain (the rational part) to turn off temporarily. We don’t need it anymore but our primitive brain still thinks we do.
What is the ‘fight’ response?
A ‘fight’ response is designed to facilitate defending ourselves from an aggressor or danger.
What is the ‘flight’ response?
In a ‘flight’ response, the extra energy made available enables us to escape a traumatic experience. For example, all the blood can go to our heart and lungs so we can run faster, longer, better.
What is the ‘freeze’ response?
Only triggered when ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ is temporarily unavailable. ‘Freeze’ is a survival reaction during which the body is temporarily immobilized or numbed. This puts us into a state of immobility, during which the muscles are tight and ready for action, if at all possible, but the rest of the body is paralyzed.
What is the ‘flop’ response?
Only triggered when ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ is temporarily unavailable. The ‘flop’ response can trigger a total collapse, loss of consciousness, blackouts and complete disorientation. You simply lose control over your entire body. The muscles literally flop and cause immobility.
What is the ‘fawn’ response?
Only triggered when ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ is temporarily unavailable. The ‘fawn’ response is an unconscious attempt to appease or make peace with an aggressor, often occurring in cases involving sexual abuse/trauma, torture or being held hostage.
Phrases to say when stress responses are triggered unnecessarily
“This too shall pass” or “I have phenomenal coping skills”
What is PTSD?
Post traumatic stress disorder; when your system is stuck on red alert. It occurs when a person’s fear-based/emergency responses fail to shut off and the body is prone to surges of adrenaline which sends messages to the brain to go into a fear-based state even when the event causing this adrenaline rush isn’t remotely dangerous, e.g. hearing a loud bang or dishes being dropped on the floor or any event that might seem similar to that of which has caused the PSTD/trauma. It can also be caused by memory flashbacks or the experience of a ‘replay’ of the trauma before their eyes.
How does the ‘fight’ response typically present itself in adulthood?
Responding with aggression as a form of protection. This can manifest later on in life as the need to be in control, expecting perfection from others, unpredictable temper and bursts of anger, not acting fairly towards others, abusing power to feel secure and being inconsiderate of others’ perspectives.
How does the ‘flight’ response typically present itself in adulthood?
The desire to run away or flee a situation. This can manifest later on in life as being worry prone, unable to relax, the need for everything to be perfect, working too much, needing to keep busy, becoming obsessive or compulsive, and even anxiety and panic.
How does the ‘freeze’ response typically present itself in adulthood?
Attempting to hide or dissociate from pain. This can manifest later on in life as having difficulty making decisions, a desire for solitude and self-isolation, experiencing dissociation, brain fog and sense of feeling unreal, the need to hide away and lack of motivation or achievement in life.
How does the ‘fawn’ response typically present itself in adulthood?
Appeasing or pleasing to diminish or avoid conflict. This can manifest later on in life as being a people-pleaser, self-censoring, fear of saying ‘no’, putting others’ needs and desires first, having no boundaries in relationships, codependency, caring too much about what others think, striving to be accepted and not standing up for oneself.
