Harv Rev Psychiatry March 2016 PMID 26062169

Fear and the Defense Cascade: Clinical Implications and Management.

Kasia Kozlowska, Peter Walker, Loyola McLean, Pascal Carrive

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Peak: 13 in May 2021

across 5 sources since Mar 2018

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone suggests a strong interest in understanding the neural aspects of trauma, with discussions referencing specific brain responses like tonic immobility and linking them to mental health issues, which underscores the importance placed on this research. Words like 'fantastic article', 'big brain', and mentions of videos and diagrams reflect active engagement and perceived relevance, although some comments are more casual or humorous, indicating varied levels of deep engagement.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions express understanding and approval of the article's insights into the defense cascade and its relevance to trauma and mental health treatments.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show a high level of curiosity, with many referencing videos, related theories, and the importance of understanding neural responses but some comments are more casual or tangential.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some discussions delve into detailed explanations, shared videos, and personal reflections indicating active engagement, though overall depth varies.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight the significance of the research in mental health field, emphasizing how it informs treatment and understanding of trauma responses, signaling moderate impact.

Abstract in brief

The text explains that humans have an instinctive set of defense behaviors called the defense cascade, which includes responses like arousal, fight or flight, freezing, and more extreme reactions such as tonic immobility, all mediated by specific brain regions.
Unlike animals, humans often cannot simply move on after danger passes and may become stuck in these responses, especially if connected to trauma, making it important to understand these neural patterns for effective treatment.
Effective treatment involves changing these brain response patterns by activating or deactivating certain neural components, which helps disrupt traumatic cycles and promotes healing and adaptation.]

Read the full abstract

All mentions

Why Humans Faint Unlike Other Animals

Humans are the only animals known to faint due to triggers like shock, fear, or pain, attributed to our large brains and upright stance. This defense response involves complex neural pathways, influenced by the fight or…

MinuteEarth · May 4, 2021 1,792,748 views

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CRUX Psychology

@cruxpsychology · X

(Danbock et al., 2024) https://t.co/Vj3utFKrf8 (Kozlowska et al., 2015) https://t.co/6BAmEHAJyQ

Oct 2, 2025 · 403 followers View post →

CRUX Psychology

@cruxpsychology · X

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #psychology #traumahealing #trauma #therapy (Kozlowska et al., 2015) https://t.co/6BAmEHAbJi

Mar 25, 2025 · 403 followers View post →

不注意おとこC-PTSD

@cptsd2525 · X

https://t.co/5dn21qWGDN t.

Aug 11, 2024 · 3,185 followers View post →

#RIPHax | Carbamazepina

@KapZaard · X

Why We Faint (When Other Animals Don't) https://t.co/8yeb4b7nHT a través de @YouTube

May 11, 2024 · 12,546 followers View post →

Marcelus G. Z.

@MaGioZal · X

Why We Faint (When Other Animals Don't) - ⁦@YouTube⁩ https://t.co/njgqPByb9f

Feb 14, 2024 · 754 followers View post →

Hominid Dan

@hominidan · X

We're ridiculous animals. If I didn't have the Earth's evolution spoiled, I would bet on spiders to win the civilization jackpot. https://t.co/3KGAPdPNMv

Feb 18, 2022 · 1 like · 189 followers View post →

badGalN71

@badGalN71 · X

@hxmaside I tried to find easy explanations here are some https://t.co/H3WB2MR3yW https://t.co/2sIFuK9jNU

Feb 17, 2022 · 1 like · 311 followers View post →

Rosy_Vein

@Rosy_Vein · X

失神は人間しかできないのかホラーはこれを利用して作られたものかな Why We Faint (When Other Animals Don't) https://t.co/F6ASGtnZlq @YouTubeより

Jun 9, 2021 · 24 followers View post →

William Wallace

@bill14051 · X

@ouiouilux https://t.co/g40GQrxNCB

May 25, 2021 · 276 followers View post →

Charles Ikenna

@CharlesIkenna23 · X

Why We Faint (When Other Animals Don't) https://t.co/oO4Ox0eqyO via @YouTube

May 8, 2021 · 3,226 followers View post →

BMO Rondero

@hamiltonianmage · X

@dieudelire literal minutearth subió esto hoy lol https://t.co/ZTfDaJd7NS

May 4, 2021 · 62 followers View post →

Steven R

@div3n · X

https://t.co/4UcJKOEH80 Only big brains faint yo

May 4, 2021 · 113 followers View post →

amphibol

@amphibol · X

Why We Faint (When Other Animals Don't) https://t.co/HDeYvKbabo via @YouTube

May 4, 2021 · 1,344 followers View post →

Lars Gü

@Larsupulami · X

While watching this video https://t.co/FFLz10u2Lb, the first thing that came to my mind was @SirWrender has big brain

May 4, 2021 · 1 like · 23 followers View post →

Cecile Braconnier

@braco001 · X

Why We Faint (When Other Animals Don't) https://t.co/V3xLYT8czm via @YouTube

May 4, 2021 · 742 followers View post →

Hunter Fryman-Sinkhorn, MSc.

@FrymanSinkhorn · X

RT @MinuteEarth: Why are humans the only known animals to faint from fright? We answer that in today’s video. https://t.co/i8koBmSnWn Plus…

May 4, 2021 · 4 shares · 94 followers View post →

Julián Gustavo Gómez

@TheJulianGomez · X

RT @MinuteEarth: Why are humans the only known animals to faint from fright? We answer that in today’s video. https://t.co/i8koBmSnWn Plus…

May 4, 2021 · 4 shares · 1,719 followers View post →

~Gabo

@GaboMcGamer · X

May 4, 2021 · 65 followers View post →

Albert Zweistein

@al_zweistein · X

Why We Faint (When Other Animals Don't) https://t.co/KRbR0vjXJb via @YouTube

May 4, 2021 · 206 followers View post →

blissbombphilosophy@gmail.com

@blissbombphilo1 · X

RT @ISSTD: Fear and the Defense Cascade: Clinical Implications and Management Kasia Kozlowska, MBBS, FRANZCP, PhD, Peter... https://t.co/ab…

Jan 25, 2021 · 2 shares · 13 followers View post →

Heather Constance

@heathencc · X

Fear and the Defense Cascade: Clinical Implications and Management A fantastic article about the vicious cycle of #anxiety #PTSD & it’s effect on our bodies & mind. If you’re like me, understanding the theory behind my diagnoses helps me manage them. https://t.co/pnpD2sHaP7

Apr 24, 2020 · 209 followers View post →

Julia Ann Mercer

@ChrisScottyLuke · X

RT @TeamRomany: Anger and Physical Health by Romany Malco: https://t.co/VCAvNdFbIx #ThePEP

Mar 3, 2020 · 1 share · 4,017 followers View post →

Romany Malco | Actor | Director | YouTuber

@TeamRomany · X

Anger and Physical Health by Romany Malco: https://t.co/VCAvNdFbIx #ThePEP

Mar 3, 2020 · 11 likes · 1 share · 102,661 followers View post →

julia mercer

@FTL18Julia · X

RT @TeamRomany: How Anger Destroys Your Physical Health by Romany Malco https://t.co/jtYTvjcK04 via @YouTube

Feb 28, 2020 · 2 shares · 3,594 followers View post →

J.R.- Sharr

@reysharr61 · X

RT @TeamRomany: How Anger Destroys Your Physical Health by Romany Malco https://t.co/jtYTvjcK04 via @YouTube

Feb 28, 2020 · 2 shares · 263 followers View post →

FARENTINO

@MarkFarentino · X

RT @UncleRomany: How Anger Destroys Your Physical Health by Romany Malco https://t.co/E3j7qCAewk via @YouTube

Feb 28, 2020 · 1 share · 65 followers View post →

Romany Malco | Actor | Director | YouTuber

@TeamRomany · X

How Anger Destroys Your Physical Health by Romany Malco https://t.co/jtYTvjcK04 via @YouTube

Feb 28, 2020 · 17 likes · 2 shares · 102,661 followers View post →

Romany Malco

@UncleRomany · X

How Anger Destroys Your Physical Health by Romany Malco https://t.co/E3j7qCAewk via @YouTube

Feb 28, 2020 · 4 likes · 1 share · 6,388 followers View post →

NonLocalityGuy

@NonLocalityGuy · X

RT @anarkriminology: 2) #TonicImmobility is a stage in anima and human defense response called the #DefenseCascade. See diagram below, as i…

Jul 23, 2019 · 1 share · 1,746 followers View post →

anarkriminology

@anarkriminology · X

Jul 17, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 1,470 followers View post →

George Ikkos

@gikkos1 · X

@unrealcharity @ProfTonyDavid In reading this article it is worth keeping in mind that at the extremes of the fear / defence cascade endogenous opioids play a dominant part . Doi 10.1097/HRP.0000000000000065

Jun 19, 2019 · 1,739 followers View post →