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Nervous System States
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Optional knowledge check.
A quick way to strengthen your state literacy and reinforce key concepts.
1. The core message of the Sympathetic (Fight/Flight) state is:
1. The core message of the Sympathetic (Fight/Flight) state is:
A
“I feel safe enough to be present.”
B
“It’s too much. I can’t deal.”
C
“Something isn’t safe. I need to act.”
D
“If I stay small, I’ll be safe.”
2. Which of the following is most associated with Ventral Vagal?
2. Which of the following is most associated with Ventral Vagal?
A
Collapsed posture
B
Racing Thoughts
C
Warmth in the chest
D
Going blank
3. Which combination best describes fawn?
3. Which combination best describes fawn?
A
Shutdown + numbness
B
Alert scanning + connection seeking
C
Calm presence + curiosity
D
Anger + aggression
4. Going completely silent during conflict most strongly reflects:
4. Going completely silent during conflict most strongly reflects:
A
Fight
B
Flight
C
Fawn
D
Freeze
5. Which of the following is a subtle protective behavior in Sympathetic activation?
5. Which of the following is a subtle protective behavior in Sympathetic activation?
A
Zoning out mid conversation
B
Over-apologizing
C
Mentally rehearsing arguments
D
Giving up
6. Someone reports, “I was in freeze during conflict, but I came back and re-engaged later.”
6. Someone reports, “I was in freeze during conflict, but I came back and re-engaged later.”
A
Failed regulation
B
Partial awareness
C
Avoidance
D
Successful return
7. Over-apologizing and shape-shifting socially most strongly reflect:
7. Over-apologizing and shape-shifting socially most strongly reflect:
A
Fight
B
Fawn
C
Flight
D
Freeze
8. Regulation is best defined as:
8. Regulation is best defined as:
A
Eliminating activation
B
Staying calm at all times
C
Returning from activation
D
Avoiding stressors
9. All nervous system states are:
9. All nervous system states are:
A
Character flaws
B
Signs of immaturity
C
Trauma disorders
D
Adaptive responses
10. The primary purpose of the AM and PM check-ins is to:
10. The primary purpose of the AM and PM check-ins is to:
A
Build consistent awareness of your state
B
Track productivity
C
Fix your nervous system
D
Prove you're regulating well
11. If you notice you were mostly in Sympathetic activation today, the most accurate conclusion is:
11. If you notice you were mostly in Sympathetic activation today, the most accurate conclusion is:
A
I failed at regulation
B
I need to eliminate stress
C
I shouldn't have reacted that way
D
This is useful data about my load
12. The benefit of checking in twice a day is that it
12. The benefit of checking in twice a day is that it
A
Prevents activation
B
Builds pattern recognition over time
C
Keeps you calm
D
Replaces therapy
13. The long term goal of daily check-ins is to
13. The long term goal of daily check-ins is to
A
Eliminate fight/flight/freeze/fawn
B
Become perfectly regulated
C
Increase self-trust through consistent awareness
D
Track mood for external validation
14. Someone says, "I was anxious all afternoon, so I failed at regulation.
14. Someone says, "I was anxious all afternoon, so I failed at regulation.
A
Yes, anxiety means you weren't regulated.
B
Regulation means staying calm all day
C
Regulation is the ability to return, not avoid activation
D
You should try harder to stay in Ventral
15. If you notice a recurring Sympathetic spike before meetings, the most skillful interpretation is:
15. If you notice a recurring Sympathetic spike before meetings, the most skillful interpretation is:
A
Something is wrong with you
B
You should avoid meetings
C
You are bad at emotional regulation
D
This is useful data about a predictable trigger
16. Over time, the compounding effect of small check-ins leads to
16. Over time, the compounding effect of small check-ins leads to
A
Elimination of stress
B
Earlier detection and more choice
C
Reduced nervous system reactivity in all situations
D
Emotional neutrality
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