Stress Response Assessment
16 scenarios. Identifies your default stress pattern — fight, flight, freeze, or fawn — with a personalized profile, strengths, growth edges, and a toolkit for adding more options.
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FAQ
Is one pattern bad and the others good?
No. Each of the four patterns kept someone safe at some point — that's why your nervous system learned it. The goal isn't to eliminate your dominant pattern, it's to add more options. A toolkit with all four available, used contextually, is the goal.
Why do I score across multiple patterns?
Most people do. Your nervous system has access to all four — they're just used at different ratios depending on context, the people involved, and the kind of stressor. The percentage breakdown shows your default tendency, not your only setting.
Where does this fight/flight/freeze/fawn model come from?
It's a trauma-informed extension of the classic 'fight or flight' response identified by Walter Cannon. 'Freeze' was added as researchers (notably Stephen Porges in his Polyvagal Theory) recognized the dorsal vagal shutdown response. 'Fawn' was popularized by therapist Pete Walker, particularly in CPTSD work.
Should I take this assessment as a clinical diagnosis?
No. This is a self-awareness tool, not a clinical instrument. If your stress responses are causing significant distress in your life, working with a trauma-informed therapist is worth more than any online tool.