Fight or Flight is the term that describes the physical changes that occur within a person’s body during a threatening or stressful situation. (Walter Cannon, Physiologist 1929)

The changes prepare the body to physically fight the cause of the stress or to flee from it. The responses can be triggered by:

Any situation where a person believes they’re at high risk of danger. Examples include risk to life or limb, responding to a threat of violence, in a fire or caught in a terrorist situation. 

The physiological responses may include some or all of the following:

  • Heart beating harder and faster
  • Going pale
  • Shaking
  • Nausea 
  • Dry mouth, inability to think logically and clearly

These are normal reactions to situations where there is extreme stress which is a reaction of the body’s autonomic nervous system. Listed below are some more of the body’s reactions is such a situation.

  • Acceleration of heart and lung action
  • Paling or flushing or alternating between both
  • Digestion slows down or stops
  • Reduction of saliva
  • Constriction of blood vessels in many parts of the body
  • Dilation of blood vessels in the muscles
  • Liberation of nutrients for muscular action
  • Dilation of pupils (tunnel vision)
  • Relaxation of bladder
  • Evacuation of colon
  • Auditory exclusion (loss of hearing)
  • Acceleration of instantaneous reflexes

It is important to realise that the fight or flight response will affect a person’s ability to communicate and that as stress levels are increased the ability to communicate effectively is decreased.  Fight or flight response will also affect the ability of the person to carry out delicate manual tasks.

A person and their ‘body language’’ may show the state of arousal and a person may show signs that could be interpreted as threatening or fearful.

If you are in a stressful situation, you also may be giving off non-verbal information you are unaware of and appear threatening or frightened to another person.  

Fight or Flight and Communication

Communication

Is a process, at its most basic, where one person sends information and the other receives it. It comprises of:

  • Body language 
  • Tone of voice 
  • What is said  

Words or verbal communication, convey only a small proportion of the whole message being communicated. The intonation, pitch and pace of a person’s voice are much more important and can override the words completely. The most important elements in face-to-face communication are body language or non-verbal communication. You must ensure you pay attention to both the verbal and non-verbal communication to understand what the person is telling you.

Individuals tend to rely on what they say to be the most effective way of communicating; however, people are more influenced by what they see especially if what contradicts it is being said. 

Therefore, consider the 5 key areas when communicating:

  • Choice of words
  • Tone
  • Volume
  • Non-verbal signs• The non-verbal signs you receive