The "4 Fs of anxiety" refer to the four common stress responses to perceived danger: Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn.
These responses represent different ways our bodies and minds react when we feel threatened. The first three, fight, flight, and freeze, are well-established, while fawn is the fourth stress response that was identified later (Reference Date: 24-Jun-2024).
Understanding the 4 Fs
Here's a breakdown of each response:
-
Fight: This response involves confronting the perceived threat head-on. It's an aggressive approach where you might argue, become defensive, or try to overpower the threat. The fight response is your body's way of facing any perceived threat aggressively (Reference Date: 24-Jun-2024).
-
Flight: This response involves escaping from the perceived threat. It's a reactive approach where you attempt to physically remove yourself from the situation.
-
Freeze: This response involves becoming immobile and still, essentially "playing dead." It's a passive approach where you hope the threat will pass you by unnoticed.
-
Fawn: This response involves trying to appease the perceived threat by becoming agreeable and helpful, often at the expense of your own needs and boundaries.
Examples of the 4 Fs in Everyday Life
| Response | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fight | Confronting a bully. | Yelling back at someone who is shouting at you. |
| Flight | Leaving a stressful party. | Avoiding a colleague who makes you uncomfortable. |
| Freeze | Being unable to move or speak during a panic attack. | Stalling in a job interview, struggling to answer a simple question. |
| Fawn | Agreeing to take on extra work to please your boss, even if overwhelmed. | Consistently prioritizing others' needs over your own to avoid conflict. |
Key Takeaways
- Fight, flight or freeze are the three most basic stress responses (Reference Date: 24-Jun-2024).
- The fawn response is a more recently identified response to stress and anxiety.
- Understanding these responses can help you identify your own patterns of behavior in stressful situations.
