The Fawn Response: How It Impacts Your Mental Health and Relationships
While most of us are familiar with the fight, flight, and freeze responses, there's another response that's less well-known but just as impactful: the fawn response.
What is the Fawn Response?
Fawning is characterized by a tendency to avoid confrontation, placate others, or accommodate their needs, even if it means sacrificing our own needs or boundaries.
Fawning allows us to avoid confrontation or conflict when we feel threatened. This response is often rooted in childhood experiences where the person learned that it's not safe to express their thoughts or feelings or that they'll be punished if they do.
What Does Fawning Look Like?
Someone who's fawning is focused on pleasing others and avoiding conflict at all costs. They may put others' needs before their own, ignore their own feelings and boundaries, or avoid speaking up for fear of upsetting others. They may also feel guilt or shame for their thoughts and feelings like they're not good enough or don't deserve respect.
People may also struggle with anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem. They may also find it difficult to establish and maintain healthy relationships because they can't assert themselves or set boundaries.
How Can You Help Someone Who is Fawning?
If you're interacting with someone fawning, there are a few things you can do to help them feel more secure and empowered:
Validate their feelings: Let them know their thoughts and feelings are valid and deserve to be heard and respected.
Encourage them to assert themselves: Help them to understand that it's okay to speak up for themselves and set boundaries. This can take time and practice, so be patient and supportive.
Help them practice self-care: Encourage them to prioritize self-care and engage in activities that bring them joy and relaxation. This can help them build a stronger sense of self-worth and feel more in control of their lives.
Offer support and understanding: Let them know that you're there for them and that you understand what they're going through. This can help them to feel less alone and more connected to others.
Seek professional help: If they struggle with the fawn response often, encourage them to consider seeking the help of a mental health professional. A therapist can help them develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Want to know more about the body’s stress/trauma responses? Read the posts about the fight, flight, and freeze responses.
Start taking control of your thoughts and feelings. With the right support and guidance, you can learn to assert yourself, set boundaries, and prioritize self-care. Start your journey to a more fulfilling life by reaching out for help now. Book your free consultation today.