I find human bodies pretty amazing. One of the amazing features we have is our sympathetic nervous system (SNS) which the system behind our fight-or-flight response. Before we were at the top of the food-chain, we relied on this system for survival. Now we don’t need it so much as a survival instinct, but we still do have it, and it is the basis for panic attacks, anxiety attacks, C/PTSD responses, meltdowns, and more. Once triggered, let’s explore the physical changes that take place in our body because even though it might seem “invisible,” it is most definitely not all in our head.
- Brain: produces the neurotransmitter/hormone norepinephrine (synonymous with noradrenaline) to the cardiovascular system to respond accordingly (incredibly simplified explanation)
- Sense of time is elongated meaning you might feel like you’re operating at a high speed compared to others around you—in survival mode, this is so you can perform “quick thinking” to escape the threat but in today’s world, it just feels like you’re spiraling into anxiety for longer than reality
- SNRI medications can extend the amount of time this neurotransmitter affects us, so while this may prolong distress in panic attack situations, this neurotransmitter also helps people with naturally low levels attain some semblance of normalcy with sleeping rhythms, appetite, and digestion; this is why this medication given to help people with anxiety can also exacerbate it
- Adrenal glands: produces the neurotransmitter/hormone adrenaline (aka epinephrine, yes, the same stuff found in an EPI-pen to treat severe allergic reactions) to the organs involved in the metabolic system, such as muscles (also an incredibly oversimplified explanation)
- Eyes: pupils enlarge to let in more light to improve vision, unfortunately it also hinders vision in brightly lit environments which can contribute to the overwhelm
- Lungs: airway muscles relax to improve oxygen collection so we can breathe deeper and faster—may also accidentally hyperventilate instead
- Heart: it beats faster to increase blood pressure so oxygen delivery from the lungs to our muscles is faster—may also accidentally cause an irregular heart rate or heart attack, especially if you have an existing heart condition
- Blood vessels: the muscles around the blood vessels tighten, making them smaller to also increase blood pressure, however vasoconstriction of blood vessels near the surface of the skin can result in cold or pale skin
- Liver: energy stored here is activated so it can be ready for quick use, preparing the body with a burst of energy to fight or to flee
- Digestive tract: the entire digestive system is slowed down since it is not vital to fighting a bear, the body redirects energy normally used to run this system to somewhere else so we can survive a bear attack
- Saliva production: saliva is used to moisten food, which is unnecessary in life-threatening situations, so your appetite may become suppressed to essentially disable this function temporarily
- Esophagus: the muscles that move food when swallowing slow down—if there is food there already, it can feel like it’s “stuck” until you take a drink to help “wash it down”
- Stomach: its role is to release enzymes to break down the food into energy we can use, but when it slows down, there might not be enough to complete the job and we’re left unable to get the nutrients we need—this can lead to vitamin deficits and co-occurring conditions like anemia
- Small intestine: when this is also slowed down, we don’t absorb as much nutrients as we could’ve done, also possibly contributing to vitamin deficiencies
- Pancreas and Liver: these are supposed to provide digestive juices to the small intestine, but this function is deprioritized and the liver is instead focused on prepping energy
- Large intestine: similar to the esophagus except this is the exit rather than the entrance, the muscles are slowed down here as well—this could result in constipation
- Muscles: with the digestive muscles slowing as energy is pulled away, it’s going to power muscles used for fighting and running, like the arms, legs, back, and heart
- Overall strength is increased (think someone lifting the car off another person, this is called “hysterical strength“)
- Overall speed is increased
- Combined with improved vision and a longer perception of time, reflexive speed is also increased
For the standard-issue body facing a life-threatening crisis, this is an amazing survival instinct to have. For a disabled body facing a perceived life-threatening crisis, not so much. Co-occurring conditions can be added to your list of diagnoses due to repeated or prolonged incidences of fight-or-flight responses. This is just one explanation for the connection between autism and gastro-intestinal issues and why scammers sell vitamin supplements to parents as a “cure” for their autistic children.
