International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience
Open Access

Abstract

The fear response is often at the heart of what undermines resiliency. We have learned from studying trauma that the limbic fear reaction becomes overly sensitized and exaggerated at the expenseof the cortical regions of the brain. Much research and clinical work have focused on empoweringthese cortical regions, via cognitive interventions, to improve their ability toturn down the volume of limbic input. The cognitive approach can be considered a Top-Down method of boosting resilience. In some cases however, the fear reaction is so magnified that traditional cognitive methods are unable to gain traction or require extended training before it becomes operational. It is possible however, to boost resiliencein a more direct manner. In this approach, the limbic fear response is targeted directly.With classical conditioning and hypnosis, the fear reaction can be expediently reconditioned and attenuated, resulting in significant and rapid improvements in resilience. This method has been effectively used with students and athletes in improving their performance and response to stress, competition, and pressure conditions.

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