Every explosion, every siren triggers an instant anxiety response in the body. But what happens when such signals become everyday life? Can we really get used to constant danger? Psychologist Tanya Solodka explained in her blog.
When a person hears a danger signal—an explosion or a siren—the body reacts automatically. Adrenaline and cortisol are released, the heart starts beating faster, muscles tense, and the brain goes into a state of hypervigilance. This is a typical survival response.
However, after this mobilization, exhaustion sets in. The body spends a lot of energy, and this leads to mental “sluggishness”, fatigue, and the inability to return to the usual rhythm. If the threat does not disappear, the body does not have time to recover - the nervous system gets stuck in a state of constant tension.
Prolonged stress changes a person. This is not weakness - the human nervous system is simply not designed for continuous combat readiness. A person becomes hypersensitive to sounds, loses interest in everyday things, has problems with sleep, concentration, and memory. The body reacts with headaches, high blood pressure, indigestion, and chronic fatigue. A person acts as if “on automatic,” and this is no longer adaptation, but survival.
Over time, the body reduces sensitivity — it looks like calm. In fact, the brain “resets” the alarm signal so as not to burn out. This is not strength — it is saving resources.
In Hans Selye’s classic stress model, there are three phases: mobilization, resistance, and adaptation. If the threat persists, a person either becomes exhausted or “dulls” their reactions. This is what we often mistake for endurance or resilience.
The psychologist warns: adaptation does not mean that the situation is normal. A person may not feel their needs, not be aware of emotions, and lose a basic sense of security. This is the price of survival.
To help yourself, you should admit that you have adapted to something abnormal. This is not a new version of yourself — it is a reaction of the body. Safety signals need to be returned: through physical practices, touch, conversation, walking, or therapy. Tears, trembling, laughter — all these are acceptable reactions. And most importantly, seek support where it is available: from loved ones, from a psychologist, from those who are experiencing something similar.
