fight-or-flight response
Danger survival instinct
Fight-or-flight response describes the body's automatic physiological reaction to perceived danger or threat.
When triggered, the nervous system floods the body with stress hormones like adrenaline, preparing it either to confront the threat or escape from it—hence the name.
Heart rate increases, muscles tense, and non-essential functions temporarily shut down.
The term has expanded beyond immediate physical danger to describe reactions to psychological stressors: My fight-or-flight response kicks in before every job interview.
Emergency response hormone
- epinephrineAdrenal stress hormone
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
- catecholamineTyrosine-derived signaling molecule
sympathetic nervous system · adrenal gland · tachycardia · palpitations · vasoconstriction · bronchodilation · hyperglycemia · sweating
Depart swiftly from threat
- freezeBecome solid from cold
- fawnYoung deer, or flatter
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
avoidance · running · hiding · withdrawal · escape route · bolt · panic · backing away
Exposure to harm
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
- menaceSource of potential harm
- hazardSource of potential harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
emergency · alarm · confrontation · aggression · hostility · intimidation · attack · ambush
Persistent apprehensive distress
- hypervigilanceHeightened threat sensitivity
- panic attackSudden intense fear episode
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- tensionStretched or strained state
distress · nervousness · dread · agitation · restlessness · jitters · racing thoughts · insomnia
Inborn drive to live
- self-preservationInstinct to survive danger
- innateExisting since birth
- reflexInvoluntary stimulus response
- automaticOperating without intervention
hardwired · involuntary · primal · visceral · instinctual · preprogrammed · ancestral · biological
adrenaline
Emergency response hormone
- epinephrineAdrenal stress hormone
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
catecholamine · sympathetic nervous system · adrenal gland · tachycardia · palpitations · vasoconstriction · bronchodilation · hyperglycemia · sweating · dilated pupils
flee
Depart swiftly from threat
retreat · avoidance · running · hiding · withdrawal · escape route · bolt · panic · backing away · ducking
danger
Exposure to harm
peril · emergency · alarm · confrontation · aggression · hostility · intimidation · attack · ambush · intruder
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- hypervigilanceHeightened threat sensitivity
- panic attackSudden intense fear episode
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
tension · distress · nervousness · dread · agitation · restlessness · jitters · racing thoughts · insomnia · burnout
survival instinct
Inborn drive to live
- self-preservationInstinct to survive danger
- innateExisting since birth
- reflexInvoluntary stimulus response
automatic · hardwired · involuntary · primal · visceral · instinctual · preprogrammed · ancestral · biological · adaptive
fight-or-flight responsereflective thinking
Examining one's own mental processes
slow thinking · measured response · executive function · contemplation
fight-or-flight responsefreeze response
Involuntary stillness under threat
fawn response · social engagement · appeasement · submission
flight, fighting, fighter, response, respond, fights, responsive, responding, flights