Fight Flight Response: what it means
The sympathetic activation of the nervous system to perceived threat, and what it means in the therapy space.
Citeren: Ramos, M. (2025). Fight Flight Response: what it means. InnerBloom. Herzien op 12 oktober 2026. https://innerbloom-agency.com/kennisbank/fight-flight-respons
Dit artikel hoort bij: Somatic Concepts Explained: A Glossary for Therapists
How the body prepares for action
Within seconds of a threat signal, the nervous system shifts to sympathetic dominance. Adrenaline and cortisol are released, digestion and the immune system drop in priority. This is a brilliant system for acute physical threats. The problem arises when chronic psychosocial stress activates the same system day in and day out without a real physical discharge following.
In practice
A client talking about their workload, whose voice gets higher, breathing rapid, fingers tapping, is in a mild fight flight state. The body wants to do something it wasn't allowed to do in the work situation. Somatic work allows that movement to happen anyway, clenching hands, stomping, pushing something away. This discharges the built-up activation.
Common mistake
The mistake is labeling fight flight as 'anxiety' and only addressing it mentally. It's a body response. Cognitive techniques without body involvement leave the built-up activation in the system and accumulate into long-term tension or later dissociation.
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Veelgestelde vragen
How does fight differ from flight in practice?
Fight manifests as anger, irritation, fighting for control. Flight manifests as wanting to escape, avoidance, walking away from a conversation or relationship. Both are sympathetic mobilizations, only the direction differs.
What is fawn as a variant?
Fawn is pleasing as a survival strategy, calming the threat by accommodating. Often developed in early relationships where fighting or fleeing wasn't safe. See our article on the fawn response.
Can I keep fight flight out of a session?
No, and that's not the goal either. Activation is part of therapeutic work. The question is whether it stays within the window of tolerance, so it can be integrated.