On this episode of The Being Well Podcast, Dr. Rick and Forrest finish their series on the stress responses with the fawn response, which is an appeasement strategy where we try to manage stressful situations by giving others what they want. Rick and Forrest start by discussing common symptoms, including people pleasing, self-abandonment, difficulty saying no, weak boundaries, and chronic self-sacrifice. They 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 they focus on practical tools for developing healthy boundaries, self-acceptance, and a stronger sense of self.
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
Forrest is now writing on Substack, check out his work there.
