We often think of our personality as something set in stone – a fixed part of who we are. Maybe you’ve had this confirmed through astrology, human design, or simply life experience. You might say to yourself, “I’m just someone who people pleases,” or “I’m a perfectionist, it’s just who I am.”
But what if these “that’s just who I am” traits aren’t an intrinsic part of your identity, but rather the result of past experiences? What if they are changeable, and not as fixed as they seem?
Enter FAWN.
Fawning is one of the body’s trauma responses, and it works in a very particular way. Instead of fighting or fleeing from danger, we try to appease it. In other words, when faced with stress or conflict, we might abandon our own needs in order to serve others, hoping to avoid criticism, disapproval, or conflict.
This response can manifest in various ways:
- People-pleasing
- Difficulty setting boundaries
- Putting everyone else’s needs ahead of your own
- Inability to say no
- Struggling to express your true thoughts and feelings
For many, this behaviour often starts in childhood. When authority figures – like parents or caregivers – let us down or when our environment felt unsafe, we may have learned to fawn in order to avoid confrontation or emotional harm.
Fawning and Thyroid Health: What’s the Connection?
So, what does the fawning trauma response have to do with thyroid health?
I have a theory that in thyroid conditions, a similar dynamic plays out. Many of us turn to medical authority figures – doctors, specialists – expecting support, guidance, and healing. But when we feel unheard, dismissed, or inadequately treated, the same coping mechanism kicks in. We fawn. We abandon our own needs and intuition, following advice that doesn’t serve us, staying quiet when we feel something isn’t right.
The link to the thyroid is clear. The thyroid, often referred to as the ‘voice of the body,’ plays a key role in regulating communication between different systems in our body. When you’re constantly silencing your own needs or stifling your voice, it’s not surprising that this can manifest in thyroid imbalances.
Many of us with thyroid conditions develop tendencies like people-pleasing, perfectionism, or over-committing. It’s like our body is mirroring the internal stress response we’ve been living with for years – the fawning, the silencing of our needs, and the lack of boundaries.
How to Break Free from the Fawn Response
The good news? Fawning isn’t a permanent state. It’s a response, and like all responses, it can be changed with the right support and healing.
To break free from this trauma response, it’s essential to:
- Set Boundaries: Start by recognising where your needs aren’t being met. Learn to say no, even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Heal Your Nervous System: Chronic stress impacts the thyroid and your overall health. Working on nervous system regulation can help you feel more balanced.
- Speak Your Truth: Give yourself permission to express your true feelings, needs, and desires. This might feel daunting at first, but it’s crucial for reclaiming your health.
- Address Childhood Trauma: Many of our fawn responses stem from early experiences. Working with a therapist or healer can help you untangle these old patterns.
Ready to Heal and Take Back Control?
If this post has resonated with you and you feel ready to dive deeper into healing your thyroid and overcoming the fawn response, I’m thrilled to offer Thyroid Calm as a self-study program. It’s designed to help you regain control, set boundaries, and address the root causes of thyroid imbalance.
This course will guide you through the process of understanding your trauma response, breaking the cycle of fawning, and empowering you to heal from the inside out. If you’re ready to put yourself first and start healing, this program is the perfect next step.
Questions? Feel free to contact me here or follow me on Instagram for tons of free resources to support your healing journey!