The fawn response is a coping mechanism in which an individual tries to placate their attacker or avoid conflict by complying with their demands. While this response is often associated with individuals who have experienced trauma, it can also be seen in high achievers. 

Here are some ways that the fawn response may manifest in high achievers: 

Perfectionism: High achievers may feel pressure to perform perfectly in order to avoid conflict or criticism. This pressure in many ways is a fawn response as a way to placate others and avoid potential conflict. 

Difficulty saying no: High achievers may have difficulty setting boundaries and saying no, as they prioritize avoiding conflict over their own needs. This can lead to a fawn response as a way to comply with the demands of others. 

Fear of failure: High achievers may fear failure and the potential consequences of not meeting expectations. This fear manifests as a fawn response as a way to avoid conflict and maintain a sense of control. 

Need for approval: High achievers may have a strong need for approval from others, such as parents or mentors. This need can lead to a fawn response as a way to gain approval and avoid conflict. 

From a nervous system perspective, One way the fawn works is an over-reliance upon the ventral vagal circuit or social nervous system for the purpose of appeasing and pleasing others. Secondly, this patterns suggests reliance upon the evolutionary older circuit of the vagus nerve called the dorsal vagal complex. This primitive strategy engages the parasympathetic nervous system in an unrefined manner in order to immobilize the defensive strategies of fight or flight. This is important for survival when there is no way to escape an unsafe situation. Over time, relying upon these vagal pathways can lead you to feel exhausted, depleted, or burnt out. 

Rewiring your nervous system helps find authenticity and ease. Want to heal fawn patterns ? Book a call - https://www.sangparth.com/15min-call