Learn4 min
Fear, freeze, fawn and survival responses
Why you may not have fought back, or left, or even felt afraid.
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Under threat, the body chooses automatically: fight, flight, freeze or fawn. Freezing, going blank, being unable to speak, or becoming extremely accommodating are not choices or consent — they are protective responses that happen faster than thought.
- Fight — arguing back, anger, defending yourself
- Flight — leaving the room, staying busy, avoiding home
- Freeze — going still, blank, numb or unable to speak
- Fawn — appeasing, apologising, anticipating needs to prevent harm
Many people feel shame about fawning in particular. It is one of the most effective survival strategies there is, and it kept you safer.