Nervous System Activation States

Fight

(hyperarousal)

  • Feeling angry, tense, or reactive

  • Strong urge to argue, defend, control, or prove a point

  • Thoughts like “This isn’t fair,” “I need to win,” or “I can’t let this happen”

  • Tight jaw, clenched fists, heat in the body

  • High energy with outward expression

  • Often shows up as irritability or impatience

Flight

(hyperarousal)

  • Feeling anxious, restless, or scattered

  • Strong urge to escape, avoid, stay busy, or distract

  • Overthinking, looping thoughts, worst-case scenarios

  • Racing heart, shallow breathing

  • Feeling like you can’t slow down or relax

  • Productivity used as a coping mechanism

Freeze

(hypoarousal)

  • Feeling stuck, numb, or shut down

  • Difficulty making decisions or taking action

  • Brain fog, dissociation, procrastination

  • Heavy body, low energy, exhaustion

  • Feeling “blank” or disconnected from emotions

  • Desire to disappear or sleep

Fawn

(hypoarousal)

  • Feeling the need to people-pleas, self-abandon, or be overly agreeable

  • Strong urge to keep peace or avoid conflict

  • Saying yes when you want to say no

  • Prioritizing others’ needs over your own

  • Suppressing intuition to stay accepted or safe

  • Fear of rejection or disapproval