Fight/Flight/Freeze Response: Anxiety Skills #1

Summary

This video explains the 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response, our body's natural reaction to perceived danger. It describes how this survival mechanism, evolved to protect us from real threats like wild animals, can cause discomfort in modern-day situations such as public speaking or job interviews. The response triggers physical changes like increased heart rate, sweating, and muscle tension. While helpful in immediate danger, prolonged activation of this response can lead to stress-related health issues. The video encourages viewers to recognize these reactions and provides insights on managing anxiety and returning to calm.

Takeaways

• 😀 Our bodies have a natural 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response to danger, developed over thousands of years to help us survive.
• 😀 This response is triggered by real and immediate threats, such as facing a wild animal or dangerous situation.
• 😀 The 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response shuts down the thinking part of the brain (prefrontal cortex) and activates the instinctive part (reactive brain).
• 😀 This instinctual reaction helps us respond quickly to danger, such as choosing to fight, flee, or freeze in a dangerous situation.
• 😀 In modern life, the 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response can be triggered by non-life-threatening situations, such as public speaking or social anxiety.
• 😀 When the fight-or-flight system activates, blood flow is redirected to large muscles, causing cold and sweaty hands as blood is taken away from extremities.
• 😀 The body produces adrenaline during the response, giving a burst of energy for action, but later causing physical side effects like shaking.
• 😀 The digestive system is temporarily shut down during the fight-or-flight response, leading to issues like a tight stomach, dry mouth, and decreased appetite.
• 😀 Chronic activation of the 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response can weaken the immune system, leading to frequent illness and stress-related health issues.
• 😀 In the 'Freeze' response, people may experience numbness, shrink away, or comply passively with the situation, rather than taking active action.
• 😀 The 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response is meant to work in short bursts for real dangers, but chronic stress can lead to exhaustion, muscle tension, and insomnia.

Q & A

What is the 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response?

The 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response is a natural reaction by our body and brain to perceived danger, meant to help keep us safe. It is an instinctual response where we either fight, run away, or freeze in reaction to a threat.

Why did humans develop the 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response?

Humans developed this response over thousands of years as a survival mechanism to deal with real dangers like wild animals, heights, warring tribes, and other threats.

How does the body react during the 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response?

During this response, the body sends extra blood to the large muscles, diverts blood from the extremities, activates the adrenal glands for a burst of energy, and shuts down non-essential systems like digestion.

What happens to the brain during the 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response?

The thinking part of the brain, the prefrontal cortex, is mostly shut down, while the reactive and instinctive part of the brain is activated, helping us react quickly to danger without overthinking.

Why is the 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response helpful when facing real danger?

It helps us respond instantly to immediate threats. For example, if we are facing a tiger, reacting quickly could save our life, as taking time to think might lead to danger.

What are some common physical symptoms of the 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response?

Common symptoms include cold and sweaty hands, a tight feeling in the stomach, dry mouth, increased heart rate, shallow breathing, muscle tension, and even digestive issues like nausea or diarrhea.

How does the 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response affect our immune system?

The response temporarily shuts off the immune system, redirecting energy to help us survive immediate threats. However, chronic stress can weaken the immune system, leading to frequent illness.

What is the problem with experiencing the 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response in modern life?

In modern life, many perceived threats, like public speaking or work stress, trigger this response even though there is no real danger. This can lead to chronic stress and related health problems like exhaustion, insomnia, and digestive issues.

What are the consequences of being in a constant 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' state?

Staying in this state for prolonged periods can cause exhaustion, insomnia, muscle tension, digestive problems, and frequent illnesses due to the constant activation of the body's stress response.

How can we manage the 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' response to reduce anxiety?

One strategy is to recognize when you are in the 'Fight, Flight, or Freeze' mode and label it, such as saying 'I'm having a fight response right now.' This awareness can help you manage your reaction. Future videos will teach techniques to train your body and mind to respond differently to perceived threats.