Disability and Mental Distress

Tools for Practitioners

Module 2 Summary and Reflection

In this module, we learned that:

  • Depression as an Energy-Saving Response
    You learned how depression can function as a runaway energy-saving strategy: the brain’s attempt to conserve resources when life feels overwhelming or hopeless.
  • Anxiety as a Fear Response
    You explored anxiety as a runaway fear-response strategy, where the brain continues reacting to perceived threats even when danger has passed.
  • Panic as a Physiological Stress Response
    You examined panic as a sudden, intense physiological stress response that can temporarily override rational thinking.
  • Limits of Cognitive Control
    You reinforced that people can’t simply “think” their way out of anxiety or depression, because these states impair the very brain systems used for coping making outside support an important part of recovery.

Remember, Depression, anxiety, and panic are not personal failures. They are survival responses that have gone into overdrive.

Remember, you’re welcome to move through this material at your own pace and pause whenever needed.

Reflection Exercise

Think of a time when you worked with (or witnessed) someone experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or panic. Without sharing any identifying details, reflect on the following:

Identify the Survival Strategy at Play

  • Did the person seem shut down, exhausted, or hopeless (runaway energy-saving strategy)?
  • Were they hyper-alert, overwhelmed, or stuck in “what if” thinking (runaway fear-response)?
  • Did they experience a sudden panic episode where rational thinking shut down entirely?

Notice How the Brain Was Responding

  • What signs showed their brain was in survival mode rather than problem-solving mode?
  • How did this shape the person’s ability to communicate, plan, or make decisions?

Reflect on your Initial Reaction

  • Did you feel the urge to explain, reassure, or encourage them to “think through” the situation?
  • Why is it important to remember that people cannot think their way out of these states in the moment?

Identify a Supportive, Within-Scope Response

  • What grounding, practical, or stabilizing action could you (or did you) offer?
  • How might you support someone differently now that you understand these states as survival responses rather than personal failures?

Final Reflection

What is one shift you can make in mindset or practice to better support clients whose brains are operating in survival mode?

Knowledge Check

Want to test your knowledge? This quiz opens in a new tab and is hosted on Google Forms.

Take the Module 2 Knowledge Check

In the next module, we’ll explore how you, the practitioner, can offer support that is grounding, practical, and empowering without stepping outside your non-clinical role.

When you’re ready, continue to the Module 3 Introduction.