Fight, flight, freeze or fawn: how do you react to stress?

Physiologist Walter Cannon described the 'fight or flight' response in the early 20th century, and later research added freezing. Psychotherapist Pete Walker added a fourth, fawning: calming the threat by pleasing others, common in people who grew up in tense environments.

All four are normal and have helped us survive. The problem appears when one of them is triggered too often or in situations that aren't dangerous. Breathing, grounding techniques and therapy can help calm the nervous system.