Page 22 - The Art of De-Escalation
P. 22
Understanding the Brain Under Threat
Under threat, the brain When in safety, the brain
reacts: reacts:
EMOTIONAL:
I need to be emotional – STEADY: I can be calm and
shout and scream so others steady – I don’t need to call
for help.
come and rescue me
FLEXIBLE: I know I am
RIGID: I need to be rigid
and focus only on one thing safe so I can think things
- what I need to survive through, problem solve and
think of others.
DELIBERATE: I can take
IMPULSIVE: I need to be my time and think things
impulsive and react quickly through – I don’t need to
to danger make urgent decisions to
stay safe.
ALERT: I need to be alert FOCUSED: I do not need to
and on guard to any dangers worry about dangers around
around me. me. I can focus on one task.
