Students Ask About Anxiety: Fight Flight Fidget & Forget

High School Students Ask About Anxiety:

Why do we fiddle with our hands, fight, flight, freeze, hyperventilate, tremble and/or forget things when we are anxious?

Dear high school students,

Anxiety is something that all teens and adolescents experience, yet it often feels unfamiliar, confusing and even scary. Have you ever wondered why you fiddle with your hands, freeze up, feel an urge to fight or run away (the "fight or flight" response), hyperventilate, tremble, or forget things when you're anxious? These reactions aren't random. They have distinct origins and are deeply rooted in our human biology.

These behaviors are part of the body's stress response system, specifically our autonomic nervous system. This is an automatic system that our bodies engage without thought to attempt to protect us from danger. It helps us react quickly when threats arise—whether those threats are real, like a snake suddenly crossing our path, or more modern and abstract, like a looming exam.

Navigating the Nervous System: Understanding Our Body’s Response

In trying to understand our body's response to stress and anxiety, it is helpful to have a basic understanding of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. They are like two sides of a coin within your autonomic nervous system, working in beautiful balance to help you navigate life's ups and downs.

The sympathetic nervous system is often likened to a gas pedal in a car. It prepares your body for quick action, the "fight or flight" response, when faced with a challenge or danger. When activated, this system causes the heart rate to increase, sharpens your senses, and releases adrenaline and other stress hormones that help to make more energy available to your muscles. These natural responses prepare you to either confront the situation or escape it. This is your body's resourceful way of protecting you.

On the other hand, the parasympathetic nervous system is akin to the brake. After the threat has passed or when you're relaxing, this system helps slow down the heart rate and decrease your blood pressure, guiding you back to a state of calm and balance, which is often termed "rest and digest." It helps the body conserve energy and recuperate.

Both systems are essential and play a role in the health and stability of our being. They are perfectly designed to work in tandem, ensuring that you are ready to respond effectively to life's challenges, but also able to rest and heal when the danger is gone.

However, sometimes, our bodies may activate these responses when there isn't a clear physical threat, like during an exam or a performance. This can feel unsettling, and that's where strategy comes in. By using techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or consulting with a professional, we can learn to influence these systems, bringing them back into balance.

Understanding how these systems work together highlights how magnificently your body is designed to protect and care for you. And when you feel overwhelmed, remember, there are countless strategies at your disposal to regain equilibrium and peace. Lean into your strength and resilience, and remember, help is always available to guide you through this process.

You Are Not Your Anxiety

Above all, know this: You are not your anxiety. It doesn't define you, rather it's a part of the full range of human experience that makes you resilient and uniquely equipped to face life's challenges. There is hope, help, and healing. Reach out to our team if you need additional resources or would like to schedule a counseling session or consider neurofeedback.

with hope,

The Insights Counseling Team