If fear is a response to a perceived danger, why do humans and other animals sometimes freeze up or faint when afraid, becoming more vulnerable?

Question

As I understand it, fear is essentially a warning system to alert you that you are in danger, and encourage you to take action (the Fight or Flight reflex). That being the case, why is it so common for people to freeze up, faint, or become catatonic, when these responses prevent them from reacting to the threat, and places them in more danger?

Same applies to other animals. Fainting Goats, obviously, rabbits will sometimes suffer fatal heart attacks in response to fear, etc.

In: Biology

Answer 1

The majority flee. A minority freeze in place.

The herd survives just fine overall.

It’s kind of a variant on “I don’t have to outrun the bear, I just have to outrun you”