Fight and flight are survival responses that show up when the nervous system perceives danger and shifts into a state of heightened arousal and readiness. These responses prepare the body to act quickly, either by confronting a threat (fight) or moving away from it (flight).

Fight responses may look like irritability, anger, defensiveness, arguing, control-seeking, or pushing back. Flight responses often involve anxiety, restlessness, avoidance, overworking, or a strong urge to escape situations or demands.

For neurodivergent people, fight and flight can be triggered not only by obvious danger, but by sensory overload, social confusion, time pressure, demands, or repeated invalidation. Because these states involve high energy and outward action, they’re sometimes mistaken for personality traits rather than understood as nervous system responses.

Fight and flight reflect a body trying to protect itself. Support usually focuses on reducing threat, increasing predictability, addressing sensory needs, and giving the nervous system time to settle before moving into problem-solving.