💪
Shouldershigh reliabilityobvious

Hunched/Raised Shoulders

Shoulders raised toward the ears or rounded forward protectively.

AnxietyFearSubmissionStress

Visual Description

Shoulders lifted toward ears, may be rounded forward, neck appears shorter.

Duration: sustainedVisibility: obvious

How to Observe

  • Note duration - temporary vs chronic
  • Check for other anxiety signals
  • Rule out environmental factors (cold)

Context Matters

  • •Protective posture - making smaller
  • •Called "turtle effect"
  • •Common response to stress/threat
  • •May become chronic with ongoing stress

Common Misinterpretations

  • âš May be cold temperature
  • âš Can be habitual poor posture
  • âš Physical tension from work

Signal Clusters

Defensive Cluster

Body makes itself smaller, protective

Significance: Person feels threatened or anxious

Quick Info

Primary Signal
Anxiety
Body Region
💪Shoulders
Reliability
high
Duration

sustained

Visibility

obvious

Associated Emotions