DEVELOPMENT DIARY
The 5fs of fear relate to how animals – and when I say animals here I mean humans and literal animals – react to fear. The two you’ve probably heard of are the fight and flight response. - we perceive a threat, a bunch of hormones are released that prepare us for either fighting said threat, or running away from the threat. In times of danger, the body prepares itself to become more aware of its surroundings; dilation of the pupils allows more light into the eyes, resulting in a better vision of your surrounding area.​ Heartbeat and respiration rate increase to provide the body with the energy and oxygen needed to fuel a rapid response to danger.​
​
A Deeper Dive
The biology behind this:
In the Brain, we have the Amygdala - scientists call this the fear centre. When this area of the brain picks up on danger, it activates our sympathetic nervous system (SNS). This is responsible for our unconscious bodily functions. The SNS sends signals to the adrenal and pituitary glands, which in turn release adrenaline. This is the hormone that causes the above preparation in the body.
​
THE FIGHT RESPONSE
‘When we experience the fight response, our brain is trying to ward off danger by defeating it. If the danger is real and can be overcome with physical strength, this can be an effective tool to keep us safe. But when the perceived danger is not actually a threat, this can get us into trouble.’​
​
THE FLIGHT RESPONSE
‘If our brain does not feel that it can successfully fight off danger, it may decide to try and escape, triggering a flight response. Essentially, this response involves trying to get as far away from the dangerous situation as quickly as possible. If the danger is something that can be outrun, the flight response can be effective.’​
​
THE FREEZE RESPONSE
‘The fear response shuts down the body's ability to move, causing the person to literally feel frozen or stuck until the fear passes. Evolutionary theories suggest that the freeze response might be the brain's attempt to avoid detection by predators by essentially holding very still until the threat goes away – like a deer in headlights.’​
​
THE FLOP RESPONSE
Similar to the freeze response, except the muscles loosen, or painfully tense up, and the body goes limp. This is done to either reduce tension, and thus reduce pain, or increase muscle density, making it harder for physical attack. It's often associated with fainting goats!​ Often, this response is left out.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
THE FAWN RESPONSE
‘Fawning is a fear response where the brain decides to try and please, appease, and pacify whoever (or whatever) is triggering the fear response, to prevent them from causing further harm.’ This usually occurs after an incident has taken place, and if all else fails. This is also called the friend response – in which one literally becomes friends with a perceived danger.​ This can be seen in dogs... rolling over and showing their stomachs to other animals during a brawl is a Fawn Response.
​
Our brains actually, subconsciously, go in order; if we don't think we can fight it, we flee, and if we don't think we can flee, we will freeze, etc etc - this all happens in a matter of seconds.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
https://www.verywellmind.com/the-four-fear-responses-fight-flight-freeze-and-fawn-5205083
