Chronically anxious but don’t know why?

Our nervous system constantly, and unconsciously, scans for potential threats through an intricate process, Dr. Stephen Porges calls Neuroception. When something is detected it begins another unconscious process called, the Threat Response Cycle. This fundamental mechanism shapes how we interact with our environment and respond to new experiences, operating anywhere from milliseconds to extended periods.

The Threat Response Cycle begins when we encounter something novel in our environment—whether through our senses or information we receive (e.g. a sound or a. Our attention naturally orients toward this new stimulus, leading to a critical assessment phase. During assessment, our system evaluates whether the stimulus represents a threat. If deemed safe, we return to a relaxed state. However, if identified as threatening, our body prepares for an appropriate response: fight, flight, or freeze.

A complete cycle concludes when we can execute our chosen response until the threat subsides, allowing us to return to our baseline state. However, complications arise when we cannot complete this cycle, particularly during the assessment phase.

Assessment disruption often occurs when we encounter situations where our natural threat response conflicts with other survival needs. Consider a child who perceives their parent as threatening but depends on them for survival, or a professional facing workplace harassment while fearing job loss. Similarly, those conditioned to suppress emotions like anger or fear may struggle to recognize these as valid threat responses.

This incomplete assessment creates a paradoxical situation: we must simultaneously acknowledge and ignore a threat. The resulting internal conflict can manifest as:

* Persistent anxiety without an apparent cause, as our system remains stuck in assessment mode without reaching resolution

* Emotional disconnection or avoidance behaviors, serving as unconscious protection mechanisms

* Difficulty adapting to new situations, as our threat response system remains partially engaged

Understanding this cycle helps explain why certain situations feel paralyzing despite no obvious danger. By recognizing these patterns, we can begin addressing the underlying disruptions in our threat response system and work toward more adaptive responses.