The Fine Art of Fawning: When “Yes” Becomes Your Default Setting

Psychologically speaking, fawning is a trauma response where we attempt to avoid conflict or harm by appeasing others. Dr. Pete Walker, who identified fawn as the fourth trauma response, explains that fawning develops when fighting, fleeing, or freezing won't keep us safe. So instead, we become expert observers, constantly scanning for what others want and need, while our own desires quietly fade into the background.