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Have you ever had a moment when you were so frightened by a sudden sound or sight that you stiffened, couldn't move, and your mind went blank? Actually, this is not uncommon.
It's not your fault that we freeze in fear, and even when we're in danger, we don't know whether to resist or run away. This phenomenon has a scientific name for "tonic immobility."
Definition and prevalence of tonic paralysis
Myotonic paralysis is an instinctive response that does not require learning to occur automatically, and this emergency mechanism cannot be controlled, and it is not something that you can move if you want to.
Tonic paralysis is common in the animal kingdom and occurs in many organisms, from insects to mammals.
For example, a typical example of a chicken at home is that if you grab its neck and press it to the ground, it will immediately stiffen and not move, as if it had been enchanted.
Not only chickens, but rats, fish, and even some reptiles and amphibians enter this rigid state when threatened.
This response is a defense mechanism for the animal in the face of predators, which makes the animal incapacitated for a short period of time, reducing the chance of being detected by predators.
We humans also retain this ancient instinctive response, so when we encounter extreme fear, the body also involuntarily becomes stiff.
Physiology of tonic paralysis
Why, then, does our brain suddenly "power off" when frightened?
In times of danger, the body activates a response called "fight or flight", which is a very old survival mechanism.
In this state, the body releases a lot of adrenaline, the heart beats faster, the breath is short, the muscles are tense, and the muscles are ready to respond to threats at any time.
However, when the brain judges that there is no way to escape and cannot resist, it enters another state - tonic paralysis.
In this case, the brain quickly switches to a low-energy "hibernation" mode. At this time, the brain produces large amounts of opioids, paralyzing its nervous system and preventing it from feeling pain and fear.
This response is a bit like anesthetizing ourselves, allowing us to temporarily "shut down" and reduce the pain of facing extreme fears.
This stiff response of the body is also accompanied by a loss of ability to react to the outside world, such as closed eyes and reduced breathing. In extreme cases, some people will not even be able to speak.
This is because the brain, in order to protect itself, automatically blocks the response to external stimuli in order to protect itself, thus entering a state of near-dormancy.
Psychological and emotional factors
Psychologists believe that intense fear not only affects physical responses, but also profoundly affects our state of mind.
When people are faced with sudden danger or fear, emotions fluctuate violently, and this emotional shock is quickly transmitted to the brain, triggering tonic paralysis.
When people are extremely scared, the brain prioritizes the fear rather than reacting immediately, which is why we sometimes "get scared silly" in the face of danger.
Emotions also play an important role in this response, and when faced with sudden danger, our brains quickly assess the intensity of the emotional shock and decide whether to enter a state of tonic paralysis.
For example, when we suddenly see a vague figure in the dark, the brain will instantly determine whether it is a potential threat, and if it is a high threat, it will trigger tonic paralysis and temporarily incapacitate us.
Social and cultural context
In different social and cultural contexts, there are significant differences in the way people interpret and deal with fear responses.
For example, in some Western cultures, people are accustomed to coping with fear and anxiety through counseling and therapy, which is widely accepted and effectively promoted.
However, in some Eastern cultures, people may be more inclined to cope with the same issues through family and community support systems. Social support systems and cultural context have a profound impact on people's ability to cope with tonic paralysis.
Education also plays an important role in helping people better understand and deal with fear responses by educating people about mental health.
In this way, many people learn to remain calm when fear strikes, rather than being too scared to move.
The existential significance of myotonic paralysis
From an evolutionary perspective, tonic paralysis is a complex survival mechanism designed to improve an animal's chances of survival in the face of predators.
Specifically, when animals are unable to flee or fight, entering a state of tonical paralysis can temporarily incapacitate them, reducing the risk of being detected and attacked by predators.
For example, many predators are not interested in stationary prey, so an animal that pretends to be dead may escape.
This mechanism is widely used in nature, from insects to mammals.
For humans, this mechanism, while somewhat "outdated" in modern society, still functions in some extreme situations, protecting us from harm.
Tonic paralysis also has another important significance, that is, by secreting opioids, which allow animals to temporarily relieve pain during extreme pain.
This natural "anesthetic" effect can help reduce the animal's suffering in the face of death, improving its survival experience in extreme situations.
The secretion of opioids not only relieves pain, but also brings a certain level of euphoria, which to some extent provides the animal with the last "tenderness".
conclusion
Tonic, as an ancient and complex physiological and psychological response, is both a defense mechanism for animals in the face of extreme fear and a final tenderness that nature provides for them.
This response is not only widespread in the animal kingdom, humans also experience a similar reaction when they are extremely fearful.
Understanding the physiological and psychological mechanisms of this phenomenon, as well as how it manifests in different cultural contexts, can help us better cope with fear and improve our mental health.
In our daily lives, when we feel the powerlessness of being scared silly again, we may be able to have more understanding and calmness, and learn to face our fears in a healthier way.
What experiences and insights would you like to share? Feel free to leave a message in the comment area!