How anxiety manifests in the body: fight, flight, freeze
similar to stresswhen we feel fear, the amygdala activates the HPA axis, releasing cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine, and acetylcholine. These are hormones stimulate our nervous systems immediately, but their effects can be felt up to an hour after they are released. Depending on the scale fearthe release of these hormones can activate one of several fear responses: struggle, flightor freeze. A flight the response is more activated than the level of fear struggle answer and freeze the response is activated at higher levels as a last resort against danger.
For example, if a lizard resting on a warm rock sees an attacking snake, it is ready to defend itself (fight), flee (flight) if it cannot defend itself adequately (flight), or limp to death if unable to escape (freeze). Each of these three answers is related to a different section nervous system.
Explaining the fight, flight, and freeze responses
The struggle the answer is related to the somatic nervous system. The somatic nervous system allows us to use our voluntary muscles, such as our arms and legs, to fight potential threats.
The flight the response is related to the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system.1.2 The sympathetic nervous system is involuntarily activated linear stimulates muscles, including our heart and brain, preparing us to avoid danger. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system releases epinephrine (adrenaline) into the bloodstream and norepinephrine. to the brain. When the sympathetic nervous system is highly activated in response to fear, it can cause tremors, shortness of breath, and hyperventilation.
The freeze the response is related to the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system.1.2 The parasympathetic nervous system is involuntarily turned off smooth muscles are like our hearts and freeze us in place by turning off parts of our central nervous system. When the parasympathetic nervous system is highly activated in response to fear, it can lead to gastrointestinal and cognitive perceptual disturbances, including irritable bowel, nausea, and more. migraine.
Like the lizard in the previous example, we all experience these responses when our nervous system is activated.
What does fight, flight or freeze actually look like?
When entering the body a struggle Physical stress manifests as clenched fingers, a stiff jaw, and muscle tension in the neck, stomach, or shoulders—often leading to headaches, sighs, or chronic problems. fibromyalgia. This condition is also characterized by dilated pupils, as the body prepares for confrontation. If there is a shift towards the reaction flightthe system prepares to escape: heart rate and blood pressure increase, breathing becomes shallow or rapid, and “butterflies” flutter in the stomach along with tremors in the limbs. The digestive system slows down, which can lead to urinary retention or constipation, and you may experience dry mouth, chills, or sweating.
On the contrary, freeze the response can skip a pulse and cause constriction of the pupil, often resulting in a feeling of immobilization or “jelly legs.” This condition often affects the intestines and lungs, resulting in nausea, excessive itching, diarrhea, or even asthma attacks due to narrowing of the airways. Neurologically and emotionally, a person can cope with migraines caused by dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears or vasodilation. Finally, the mental strain of freezing can lead to “foggy thinking,” memory loss, crying or, in extreme cases, hallucinations as the mind struggles to process the perceived threat.
This post is an excerpt from my eBook, How to live a stress-free life: 10 proven ways to reduce anxiety and calm your mind.
