yok know how there is fight or flight reaction? is there an opposite of that?

[giraffescantdirtydance]

Like a curl up and die here emotion?!

Have been like this a few times one when I was in labour, just wanted to be alone and curl up and rock and be really into myself, another when I had terrible food poisoning and nearly passed out on the floor and was vomiting and decided to just lye on the floor and die

Last night had really bad asthma, was doing a deep noise that never done before sort of like a honking goose, and was needing lots of ventolin. I sort of thought I need some help, but then my reaction was to curl up in my bed and keep taking ventolin. Fell asleep and woke up every hour at least and remember my covers had kept coming off so I must have been wriggling about.

I feel a bit better now, and might try and ee ooh when they open. But am confused that when I felt really ill that was my reaction - what happened to logic?!

Morning Giraffes. I'm glad you are feeling a bit better this morning. I find my asthma is always worse at night.

I have to be really ill (like most mums) for it to interfere with the daily grind routine. When I get like that I feel frustrated and useless and throw myself a "pity party"!

I am glad you are feeling better this morning. Maybe worth seeing OOH?
Extreme pain has given me that reaction. When I was taken to the hospital they were asking 'why didnt you come in before????' and all I could say was that I couldnt move to get help.
you kind of shut down and go into survival mode I think.

Yes, I believe there is. Having had extensive psychotherapy in my teens.

I can't remember the details (been a few years since I studied biology) - but basically as well as adrenaline, which is the fight or flight chemical, there is also noradrenaline (also called norepinephrine)

When I was on antidepressants it was a type called SSNRI, which among other things allows more noradrenaline into the bloodstream. I think norepinephrine is involved in the heart muscle but I can't remember much - maybe someone sciency will come and advise better!

Sorry I'm waffling here, but essentially yes, some people just go like a deer in headlights. I am one of them. I'm not sure if it's due to an innate imbalance (my parents are very passive too) or if it's learned behaviour, as I was sexually abused by my uncle as a child - so obviously I learned to 'switch off' in order to cope.

Fright. Fight, flight or fright.

Yes, I think this is an instinctive reaction to illness or injury. Not so much a 'curl up and die here' reaction, more like, 'curl up and hide in a dark, quiet place until feeling better'.

In evolutionary terms, it would have made sense for our ancestors to hide if they were not well enough to evade predators and to conserve energy until well enough to hunt for food again. Just like the fight-or-flight thing, it's not always a good adaptation for modern life, because it's often better to seek medical help.

My cat has sometimes hidden under cupboards when she's been unwell or injured too.

Hope you feel better soon.

that makes sence - my rabbit used to do that too.