The Fawn Response: People Pleasing, Self-Abandonment, and Standing Up for Yourself
Dr. Rick and I finish our series on the stress responses with the fawn response. The fawn response is an appeasement strategy, where we try to manage stressful situations by giving others what they want. Rick and I start by discussing common symptoms, including people pleasing, self-abandonment, difficulty saying no, weak boundaries, and chronic self-sacrifice. We talk about the roots of the fawn response and its connection to complex PTSD before exploring people pleasing in detail. In the second half of the episode we focus on practical tools for developing healthy boundaries, self-acceptance, and a stronger sense of self.
You can watch this episode on YouTube.
Key Topics:
0:00: Introduction
2:15: What the fawn response looks like
9:05: Power imbalance, shame, and contempt
11:35: What predisposes someone to a habit of fawning
20:00: Where to begin working on the tendency to fawn
36:30: Shame, self-acceptance, and opening up to self-expression
41:25: The fawn response in relationship
46:40: Becoming your own source of safety
52:20: Making equitable arrangements, and acknowledging your best efforts
1:01:50: Recap
I am now writing on Substack, check out my work there.
Support the Podcast: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link.
Sponsors
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/beingwell.
Transform your health with the ZOE Science & Nutrition podcast. Find it wherever you listen to podcasts.
Zocdoc helps you find expert doctors and medical professionals that specialize in the care you need, and deliver the type of experience you want. Head to zocdoc.com/being and download the Zocdoc app for FREE.
OneSkin focuses on delivering more than superficial results for your skin. Get started today with 15% off using code BEINGWELL at oneskin.co.
Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month!
Connect with the show: