LibraryScenariosWhy achievement triggers your fight-or-flight response
Scenario

Why achievement triggers your fight-or-flight response

My heart pounds when I accomplish something good like my body thinks success is dangerous and I should hide.

Dipa
Online
The coach is replying

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

Success is activating threat responses because early experiences taught that visibility, accomplishment, or outshining others carried social or emotional dangers.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Trauma in the body — somatic approaches?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.