Psychology says people-pleasing is a trauma response, and you don't even know it
Published on: July 1, 2026, 3:29 p.m. | Source: Times of India
These responses develop specifically in situations involving a threat or a power imbalance. This mostly occurs during childhood, when a child depends on an unpredictable or unsafe caregiver for survival. For them, the only available strategy is becoming useful, agreeable, or invisible.As fawning is a trauma response, addressing the underlying traumatic experiences is important to understanding the cause. You can seek the help of a registered therapist for this. Start by recognising fawning for what it is: a survival skill, not a personality flaw. It’s your brain's way of trying to protect you. Acknowledging this and seeking the help of a mental health professional may help.
