The brain’s responses in critical situations are different from those we’re used to. It doesn’t work exactly the same way it does on a day-to-day life. Critical situations trigger a fast-response neural system that triggers a variety of behaviors. and release of hormones.
This mechanism has to do with survival. This function is natural in the human body, is somewhat innate and is different from what we consciously use.
- In other words.
- Our brain oversees everything we do.
- Making sure processes are successful; it is the body that has the greatest responsibility in the dynamics of our bodily functions and behaviors; in many circumstances.
- Our brain works consciously and procedurally.
- I.
- E.
- Implementing functions already learned.
- Such as talking and walking.
However, this mode of operation is not the only one available in our brain, in critical situations, where a risk or threat to life is detected, the brain operates from other neural networks, responsible for launching the system responsible for survival. Brains are prepared to make immediate decisions in cases where we identify an imminent danger.
In this sense, we have a set of neural networks designed to function as an alarm system, and this system is responsible for making decisions in critical situations, this alarm system, however, is not perfect and, in many cases, can lead us to make incorrect or ineffective decisions.
Therefore, we will see below how the brain works in critical situations and what consequences the activation of the alarm and survival system can bring us.
“Our brain is ready to make immediate decisions in case we face an experience marked by imminent danger. “
The human brain has a neural system responsible for emotional processing and responses related to fear and anxiety. We’re talking about the limbic system, located inside the temporal lobe of the brain.
It is in the limbic system that there is a structure specifically dedicated to the detection and treatment of danger signals: the cerebral amygdala, which is connected to different areas of the brain and has the ability to activate rapid and intense behaviors.
Virtually all mammalian species have an innate reaction to escape, fight or paralyze against dangerous stimuli, and this reaction is triggered precisely by the action of the amygdala. The alarm reaction can be triggered consciously, when one realizes that there is a serious danger, or also unconsciously by brain shortcuts.
In other words, it is possible that before we consciously realize, our brain activates the survival system and the amygdala triggers different responses to what is happening.
First of all, the action of the brain in critical situations can lead to an escape order, and this order will not be consciously analyzed, that is, our brain will not ask us if we believe it is really appropriate to flee or if we can stay. in the situation.
Therefore, the response in times of danger can even worsen the situation, because we make thoughtful decisions, without stopping to think about the possibilities or consequences.
The function of escape is simply to move away from danger to seek refuge and help, and in a critical situation, it can lead us to escape danger, but this can happen, so we won’t have time to think about the possibility of dealing with the situation, so we will never choose that option.
It can also put us in another danger. An example would be to enter escape mode and cross a street without looking at the traffic, so that we can be run over.
Another possible answer is combat. This would be the answer in which a subject gives everything for his life to try to eliminate a dangerous stimulus. When the sympathetic system is activated, this combat response increases significantly, increasing adrenaline levels in the blood and generating an acute stress response.
This response makes the muscles more resilient, the skin less sensitive and increases the breathing capacity of the lungs for a certain time, all of which results in greater endurance and strength.
Third, another answer may be paralysis or confusion. Simply put, we lose the ability to react, with the aim of hiding and not reacting. Paralysis as an answer seeks to try to overcome the threat without noticing our presence.
At the same time, it is very important to note that if this response occurs, the person will not be able to activate his motor system, the muscle movement system, and in this way he will remain motionless.
The brain in critical situations therefore has a survival system that activates ultra-fastly and unconsciously, in a few milliseconds, and can lead us to give the wrong answer to the specific situation, in fact, often the alarm response increases the danger, so there is a whole group of professions responsible for training people on how to deal with emergencies.
The most immediate consequence of a critical situation, once overcome, is physical and emotional exhaustion, this extreme tiredness is the result of wear and tear from the passage of a dangerous situation, or a very delicate situation. Tiredness can last more than a day and even last even after sleep and rest.
This is because all our physical and neural resources are dedicated to trying to survive, even if there is no real danger to life, the goal is to overcome the situation, and on the list of priorities, recovering the lost energy is the last thing, or after overcoming the situation.
Another possible consequence, besides exhaustion, is the footprint left in our memory by the critical situation, is it because of the amygdala and brain structure of the hippocampus responsible for setting new learnings and creating memories?Working together.
In this way, the amygdala activates the hippocampus with such intensity that it causes a very strong fixation of memory, so critical situations tend to be remembered for life, and with a good amount of detail. it’s a somatic marker.
Another possibility of consequences of brain activation in critical situations may be post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which develops when the level of physical activation is extremely high and the main emotion associated with it is intense fear, however, we won’t necessarily. develop PTSD in a traumatic situation.
On the other hand, this disorder requires treatment with specialized psychotherapy, as it is characterized by the existence of flashbacks of the event, moments of great sadness and the perception of a constant threat in our nearest environment, whatever it may be.
Finally, it is important to remember that the brain can learn to react more receptivyly to critical or dangerous situations. Training, emergency response protocols, and self-defense strategies are elements that can help us improve our innate survival response.