Kids/Teens & Fight-or-Flight
A reminder from the previous post: What is fight-or-flight?
When presented with danger, your brain may respond by defending itself, running away, stopping completely, or reconciling. These all were designed to help humans survive life-threatening situations. Depending on past experiences, your response may manifest in the classic fight or flight, freeze, fawn, or a hybrid of several versions.
Stressors That Can Activate Fight-or-Flight in Kids/Teens:
Uncertainty,
Unknown,
Transitions,
Sensing that adults are stressed,
Feeling lonely,
Feeling unloved,
Starting something new,
Being made fun of,
Getting left out,
Getting yelled at,
Being told you are bad, and/or
Feeling misunderstood.
Symptoms in Kids/Teens:
Fight:
Yelling, screaming
Using mean words
Hitting, biting, throwing, kicking, punching
Blaming others
Defensiveness
Oppositional, defiant
Emotions: Irritable, Angry, Aggressive, Furious
Flight:
Wanting to escape, run away
Unfocused
Distracted
Avoidant
Fidgeting, restlessness
Emotions: Anxious, Panicked, Scared, Overwhelmed
Freeze:
Shutting down
Mind goes blank
Daydreaming
Hiding, isolating
Unable to move
Emotions: Depressed, Numb, Bored, Helpless, Apathetic
Fawn:
Complying without understanding
People pleasing
Not being able to say no
Saying what they think others want to hear
Prioritizing others needs
Emotions are usually a hybrid
Simple Strategies to Try with Kids/Teens:
Breathing Exercises (i.e. box breathing, dragon breathing, etc.)
Drawing, coloring
Working out and/or stretching
Meditation, yoga
Grounding Exercises (i.e. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 skill)
Solving a puzzle, building something (i.e. with legos, blocks, etc.)
Using a fidget
Connecting with a close friend, family member, or even nature
Journaling, reading, or looking at pictures
Mindfulness Exercises (i.e. paired muscle relaxation)
