Fight or Flight Response

The fight or flight response is the name given to the way the body responds to help the individual (or animal) cope with a short term emergency. The fight or flight response has evolved to keep us alive!

The following changes in our body occur rapidly when we get stressed:

• Extra oxygen is taken in.
• Blood pressure and breathing increase, leading to heart pounding.
• Palms and feet get sweaty to give better grip with weapons once the sweat has dried.
• Blood is directed to limbs to give strength. This often causes the limbs to shake.
• Non essential bodily functions are shut down so that the extra energy can be directed at the threat. For instance the production of saliva is slowed down (which results in a dry mouth) and digestion is stopped.
• Pupils dilate to let in more information.
• Our thinking brain is shut down making it much more difficult rationalise our thoughts.
• If the anxiety becomes too extreme we may develop the urge to deficate or vomit - this would make us more less tasty as prey to wild animals.

These response would, of course, be great in the right situation, such as when confronted by a wild tiger. However, some people find that they are constantly being triggered in situations like job interviews or giving speeches. If this response is constantly activated in inappropriate situations, like a faulty car alarm, a person can become ill.