resource | Psychology Tools (2024)

Description

The fight or flight reaction is associated with activation of the sympathetic nervous system. The chain reaction brought about by the fight or flight response can result in the following physical effects:

• Heart: Increased heart rate; Dilation of coronary blood vessels; Increase in blood flow Increased availability of oxygen and energy to the heart.
• Circulation: Dilation of blood vessels serving muscles; Constriction of blood vessels serving digestion; Increased availability of oxygen to skeletal muscles; Blood shunted to skeletal muscles and brain.
• Lungs: Dilation of bronchi; Increased respiration rate; Increased availability of oxygen in blood.
• Liver: Increased conversion of glycogen to glucose; Increased availability of glucose in skeletal muscle and brain cells.
• Skin: Skin becomes pale or flushed as blood flow is reduced; Increased blood flow to muscles and away from non-essential parts of the body such as the periphery.
• Eyes: Dilation of the pupils; Allows in more light so that visual acuity is improved to scan nearby surroundings.

In addition to physiological reactions there is also a psychological component to fight or flight response. Automatic reactions include a quickening of thought and an attentional focus on salient targets such as the source of the threat and potential avenues for escape. Secondary psychological responses can include appraisals about the meaning of the body reactions. For example, patients with panic disorder often misinterpret fight or flight responses as signs of impending catastrophe (“I’m having a heart attack”, “If this carries on I’ll go mad”).

History of the fight or flight response

The fight or flight response was originally described by American physiologist Walter Bradford Cannon in the book Bodily changes in pain, hunger, fear and rage (1915). He noted that when animals were threatened, by exposure to a predator for example, their bodies released the hormone adrenaline / epinephrine which would lead to a series of bodily changes including increased heart rate and respiration. The consequences of these changes are increases in the flow of oxygen and energy to the muscles. Canon’s interpretation of this data was that there were emergency functions of these changes. He noted that they happened automatically and they served the function of helping the animal to survive threatening situations by readying the body for fighting or running.

A more modern understanding of the fight or flight response is reflected in the work of Schauer & Elbert (2010). Their more elaborated model of physiological / psychological / behavioral responses to threat is termed the ‘defense cascade’. They describe a series of stages which individuals exposed to threat or trauma may go through, including: freeze, flight, fight, fright, flag, and faint.

Why the fight or flight response is important

The physiological responses associated with fight or flight can play a critical role in surviving truly threatening situations. However, many patients suffering from anxiety disorders or other conditions may have threat systems which have become over-active, or which are insufficiently counterbalanced by activity in the parasympathetic nervous system.

Practically, many patients who suffer from anxiety will benefit from a deeper understanding of the fight or flight response. For example, patients with panic attacks or panic disorder often misinterpret the bodily signs associated with fight or flight as signs of impending catastrophe and understanding the fight or flight response is therefore a helpful ‘decatastrophizing’ technique. Similarly, patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may mistake the increased physiological arousal as an indicator that there is a genuine threat present: understanding more about the fight or flight response can help them to feel safer, and to implement relaxation and grounding strategies.

Instructions

This is a Psychology Tools information handout. Suggested uses include:

• Client handout - use as a psychoeducation resource
• Discussion point - use to provoke a discussion and explore client beliefs
• Therapist learning tool - improve your familiarity with a psychological construct
• Teaching resource - use as a learning tool during training

References

• Cannon, W. B. (1915). Bodily changes in pain, hunger, fear, and rage. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
• Schauer, M., & Elbert, T. (2010). Dissociation following traumatic stress. Journal of Psychology, 218, 109-127.