3 Signs Your Nervous System is Stuck in Fawn Response

A lesser-known but equally important survival response is the fawn response. 

The fawn response corresponds with what we commonly refer to as being a people-pleaser. The person that always tries to go with the flow, avoids judgement from other people and is afraid to state their opinion could be reacting from the survival instinct of the fawn response.

What is the Fawn Response?

It’s a survival mechanism rooted in our biology, characterized by a deep desire to appease and please others. 

In the context of chronic pain and anxiety, it manifests as a tendency to put the needs of others before our own, often neglecting our own well-being in the process. While this coping mechanism may have helped us in the past, it can lead to long-term emotional and mental distress that can manifest into physical symptoms. 

In this blog post, we will explore the signs of being stuck in the fawn response and provide practical steps you can use to overcome it. Ultimately, guiding you toward a healthier and more balanced way of living.

Recognizing the Signs of the Fawn Response:

As mentioned above, the fawn response can show up as people pleaser. If you recognize yourself in any of these 3 signs, keep reading to find the solution to regulating your nervous system.

Overextending Yourself: 

Constantly putting others' needs ahead of your own, often at the expense of your well-being, is a key sign of being stuck in the fawn response. 

You may constantly push yourself beyond your limits, striving to meet unrealistic expectations and avoiding confrontation or conflict, even if it means disregarding your own limits and boundaries.

Heightened Anxiety: 

The fawn response is often accompanied by heightened anxiety and hyper-vigilance. You may constantly worry about others' opinions, fear rejection, and find it difficult to assert yourself or express your true feelings, which contributes to increased anxiety levels, perpetuating a cycle of chronic pain and emotional distress

Ignoring Your Own Needs: 

Placing your own well-being on the back burner, you tend to prioritize the comfort and happiness of others, neglecting your own self-care and suppressing your emotions.

You may struggle to identify and meet your own needs, as your focus is primarily on satisfying others.

These characteristics are proven to be seen in the majority of people who suffer with chronic pain and anxiety. Understanding the Fawn Response is crucial because it empowers you to break free from these patterns and find a healthier balance.

Steps to Overcome the Fawn Response:

By taking action on the following steps, you can start to gradually shift away from overextending yourself, neglecting yourself, and heightened anxiety. 

Let's explore these essential steps to overcome the fawn response and develop a well-balanced nervous system.

Self-Awareness: 

Recognize and acknowledge the fawn response in yourself. Understand that your tendencies to overextend, ignore your needs, and experience heightened anxiety are rooted in this survival mechanism so that you can break the cycle and start to heal.

Set Boundaries: 

Learn to establish and enforce healthy boundaries with yourself and in your relationships. Practice saying no when necessary and set limits for what you are willing to tolerate or not.

Practice Self-Compassion: 

Begin valuing your own needs and emotions. Practice self-compassion by treating yourself with kindness and understanding. You could take yourself on a self-care date by having a bubble bath and using your favorite lotion or spending an afternoon reading in nature with your fave playlist in the background. 

This is a crucial part of helping your body relax in your nervous system so you can get out of the stuck place in your health.

Seek Therapy for Support: 

Overcoming deeply ingrained patterns requires support, these habits have been developing since your childhood, they won’t just go away now that you’ve learned why you’re doing it. 

Consider finding a therapist to work through underlying issues, gain insight into your behavioral patterns, and develop healthier coping strategies in place of fawning.

Virtual Therapy in Texas

The fawn response can become a deeply ingrained pattern that negatively impacts our emotional well-being and hinders our personal growth. By recognizing the signs of the fawn response, setting boundaries, cultivating self-compassion, practicing assertiveness, and seeking therapy, you can overcome this coping mechanism and reclaim your autonomy. 

You don’t have to let people pleasing run your life. Therapy can help you find more peace and self-assurance. We specialize in anxiety treatment because I know how debilitating it can be to live with. If you’re based in Texas and looking for a therapist that can help you with healing your nervous system, chronic pain and anxiety, I invite you to book a consult call here.