If I told you that you don’t have an anxiety disorder—you’re trapped in survival mode—how would that change the way you relate to your stress?

Fight, flight, and freeze can feel like a more useful way to describe what’s happening than a psychiatric diagnosis. But how much does the science actually tell us about these states? And what might we miss if we replace the language of mental illness with the language of survival mode? If you recognise yourself in that language and want a genuine neuroscience book on the subject, this workbook is for you. It brings together psychology, neuroscience and evolutionary biology to connect the felt experience of threat with what we know about the brain and body. It also examines the claims of Polyvagal Theory and asks what we may gain (and lose!) when we move away from the language of the DSM-5.

Inside, you’ll find:

• An accessible explanation of fight, flight, freeze and regulation.

• Insight into why you might feel stuck in survival mode—and practical ways to break free.

• A clear examination of Polyvagal Theory, Social Baseline Theory and the medical model of mental illness.

• Practical tools for managing daily stress.

• Reflection questions to help you decide which language best describes your experience.