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Theemotion of fearis a core part of the human experience.
But what happens when we feel afraid?
Continue reading to also learn whether we can change our fear responses when faced with scary situations.
Maria Korneeva/Moment/Getty Images
At a Glance
The four fear responses are fight, flight, freeze, and fawn.
These responses are how our brain keeps us safe in potentially dangerous situations.
When the amygdala is activated due to possible danger, it elicits the fear response.
When we experience fear, our brain re-routes energy to the amygdala, slowing down processing in other areas.
That is why it can be difficult to speak or make rational decisions when we are afraid.
Although some form of damage to the brain can impair fear responses,most people feel afraid sometimes.
This response can be described through four categories: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn.
When the brain perceives danger, it might choose to try and fight off the threat.
This can manifest as a physical or verbal altercation and is accompanied by an intenseangry feeling.
When we experience the fight response, our brain is trying to ward off danger by defeating it.
But when the perceived danger is not truly a threat, this response can get us into trouble.
If the danger is something that can be outrun, the flight response can be effective.
Some people with social anxiety disorder experienceselective mutism,where they find themselves unable to speak in anxiety-provoking situations.
Their vocal cords become paralyzed due to fear, and they are unable to speak until the anxiety passes.
This is an example of the freeze response at work.
Their brain is simply trying to keep them as safe as possible in a bad situation.
Can You Change Your Fear Response?
Our brain simply does its best in the moment.
Unfortunately, this means we may not make the most effective decision when the amygdala is activated.
Or they may freeze and be unable to deliver an important presentation.
When someone has ahistory of trauma, their brain might become more likely to activate fear responses.
When we notice that we are experiencing this response, we can try and make a different choice.
Research shows we can train ourselves to respond differently to fear.
Fortunately,anxiety can be effectively treatedthrough therapy and medication.
2017;19(2):93-107. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/bbandelow
