Fight Response (Inner Guard Dog)
Crying, wailing, howling, growling Flexed/tight jaw Hands in fists Need to punch, hit, rip up Fight in eyes, glaring Yelling Stomp, kick, smash Explosive outbursts or tightly controlled emotion Thoughts of hurting ourselves or others Knotted stomach/nausea, burning stomach Needs power and control to feel okay
Anger
Flight Response (Inner Deer) Panic/Anxiety/shallow breathing Big/darting eyes
Crouching down, preparing to run
Obsessions and compulsions, can’t stop
Feeling trapped, tense
Sense of running in life- one activity-next/lose self in work or other activities Constant feelings of fear
Actual running / escape & avoidant behavior
Climbing
Freeze Response (Inner Rabbit)
Feeling stuck in some part of body Isolation Zoning out Difficulty taking action Difficulty making decisions Fear of trying new things Feeling cold/frozen, numb, pale skin Sense of stiffness, heaviness Holding breath/restricted breathing Sense of dread, heart pounding Decreased heart rate (can sometimes increase) Closely watching the threat
Faint/Submit Response (Inner Possum)
Compliance and submission Completely disconnected from reality Helplessness and hopelessness Person goes into freeze and then just lies down or kind of collapses—emotionally or physically
Dissociation Apathy Non-Responsive
Fooling around/Fidget/Fawn Response(Inner Squirrel)
Playfulness
Teasing
Use of Humor (If I can get you to laugh, you won’t want to hurt me)
Use of sarcasm (can’t say what you mean, also can be fight response if insulting or degrading)
Physiological responses like fidgeting, drawing
Self soothing or Stimulation
People pleasing
Vulnerable, desperate to get protection and connection
Calm/Wise (Inner Owl)
Able to use learned skills Regulated, calm Able to communicate either verbally or through creative ways Able to withstand distress
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