Are You in Fight or Flight? The Hidden Nervous System Toll of Medical Parenting
About this episode
Dr. Johanna discusses the long-term effects of living in fight-or-flight mode as a medical parent and how it impacts both the parent and child.
You made it through the diagnosis. The surgeries. The appointments. But what if your body never got the message that it's safe now? In this solo episode of Born For This Stories , Johanna dives into one of the most overlooked parts of medical parenting — the long-term impact of living in fight-or-flight mode . This is the side no one talks about: the constant scanning, the mental exhaustion, the inability to fully rest even when the crisis has passed. Johanna shares her personal experience navigating 18 months in survival mode without even realizing it, and breaks down what chronic stress actually does to the nervous system, the body, and your ability to show up as a present parent. This episode explores how medical journeys don't just affect your child — they rewire you, too. If you are a parent who feels like you're "fine" but constantly on edge, overanalyzing, exhausted, or disconnected, this episode will help you understand what's happening inside your body — and how to begin finding your way back to regulation and safety. In this episode – What fight-or-flight actually means in the context of medical parenting – The difference between acute stress and chronic nervous system…
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Johanna
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