Posted by Racer on February 28, 2004, at 22:20:12
I've been musing about fear recently. From mild anxiety through outright paralyzing terror. I don't know what brought the following thought to mind, but it got me started on a tangent I'd like some feedback on.
Most medical research is done on men, and it's only more recently that the differences between genders is really becoming a focus of interest. Recently, I read a short article, which I can't identify due to a brain like a sieve, that said that the fear response -- our old friend "fight or flight" -- is true of men, but women have a different model for responding to the same stress hormones that create fight or flight in men. The article said that, in women, the response is more accurately described as "tend or befriend." I've noticed that, when I'm at my worst, I'm also more likely to extend myself for others, and I wonder if that's partially a response to my own fears? Then it I started to wonder about this board, since it seems to me that many of the most frequent posters seem to be female -- at least to me -- and it got me started into a musing mode.
So, what do others think about this? Do you find that you're more likely to come here to support others when you most need support yourself?
Dr Bob, do you know of any studies involving this sort of idea? (Heheh, are *you* planning on studying this phenomenon? You know, get the ball rolling on it, now that you've thought of it?)
Thanks, all!
poster:Racer
thread:318665
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040219/msgs/318665.html