Compassion and empathy come from the place of 'feeling before the thinking'. These critical elements of good EQ help us make decisions that are considerate and respectful.
And on the other side of the continuum, the fight-or-flight response, also known as the acute stress response, a physiological reaction, triggered by the release of hormones that prepare your body to either stay and deal with the threat or to run away to safety. In either case, the physiological and psychological response to stress prepares the body to react to the danger. In this case, acting or speaking without thinking.
As the fight-or-flight response is hardwired to our brain, it is often triggered at the slightest perception of 'danger'. At work or at home, this affects relationships, productivity and service and creates mental health issues.