Podcast Summary
Understanding the freeze trauma response: Recognize and manage the freeze response to prevent dissociation and shame, leading to lasting change.
The freeze trauma response is a deeply wired, reflexive response that happens in our bodies and is often misunderstood. Unlike other trauma responses, it doesn't call for action in the external world but instead turns inward. If left unmanaged, freeze can lead to cycles of dissociation and shame. It's important to recognize and manage freeze responses to prevent these negative outcomes. This can be done by identifying the response and employing the right tools to move out of it. By doing so, you can prevent dissociation and shame, and when you come out of the freeze response, you can create lasting, sustainable change. To learn more about the freeze response and how to manage it, visit rewiretrial.com for free, live 2-week workshops and an on-demand library of resources.
Understanding Different Immobility Responses: The body can respond to danger or stress with immobility, including freeze, tonic immobility, and flop or collapse immobility, each with distinct characteristics
The body's response to perceived danger or stress can manifest in various ways beyond the commonly known fight or flight response. One such response is freeze, where the body becomes immobile while remaining attentive, preparing to take action once the threat has passed. Freeze is a short-term response and comes with muscle tension, increased heart rate, and rapid respiration. It's important to note that there are other types of immobility responses, such as tonic immobility, where the body becomes immobile due to a lack of ability to fight or flee, and flop or collapse immobility, where the muscles lose all tension and consciousness may be lost. Understanding these different responses can provide insight into the complex ways the body reacts to stress and trauma.
Understanding the freeze response in trauma survivors: The freeze response is a short-term survival mechanism triggered by acute trauma, but for some individuals with Complex PTSD, it can persist as a long-term symptom of chronic stress, leading to various health issues
The body's response to trauma can manifest in various ways, including the freeze response. This response, which involves going limp or dissociating, is typically a short-term survival mechanism triggered by an acute threat. However, for some individuals, especially those with Complex PTSD, the freeze response can persist due to repeated exposure to threats or reminders of past traumas. When this happens, individuals may experience prolonged periods of immobility or dissociation, which can lead to symptoms such as chronic fatigue, depression, or migraines. These symptoms are different from the freeze response in that they are long-term effects of chronic stress rather than acute trauma. It's important to understand the differences between these responses to better comprehend the impact of trauma on individuals and how to support them in their healing journey.
Understanding the freeze response: A stress reaction involving muscle tension and immobilization: The freeze response is a stress reaction characterized by muscle tension, a mix of fight or flight and rest response, and a feeling of being stuck or immobilized. It can occur acutely in response to a traumatic event or chronically due to prolonged stress. Recognizing and understanding this response is crucial for managing stress and trauma.
The freeze response, a stress reaction, involves a combination of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. It's characterized by muscle tension, a mix of fight or flight and rest response, and a feeling of being stuck or immobilized. This can manifest as an inability to use one's voice, feeling tired, or being stuck in one's thoughts. Acute freeze can occur in response to a traumatic event, while chronic fatigue might be the body's protective response to prolonged stress. The freeze response is often deeply wired in individuals who experienced prolonged abuse during their developmental years when they couldn't protect themselves. It's important to recognize and understand the freeze response to better manage stress and trauma.
Understanding the impact of childhood stress responses on adult behavior: Recognize the impact of past stress responses on present behavior, learn to regulate responses, and address underlying triggers for improved well-being and mental health.
Our stress responses, developed during our formative years, can significantly impact how we respond to stressors as adults. These responses can range from freezing, collapsing, or fighting/fleeing. Understanding the difference between acute and chronic stress responses can help us distinguish between moments of emotional reactivity and prolonged stress. By practicing regulation techniques before and after stressful situations, we can rewire our nervous system and build resilience, reducing the likelihood of collapsing or freezing responses. It's essential to acknowledge and address the triggers that lead to these responses, and work on them in small, manageable steps. Ultimately, by taking proactive steps to manage our stress responses, we can improve our overall well-being and mental health.
The freeze response's impact on posture and emotions: The protective posture during stress sends signals to the brain, worsening the posture and emotions. Breaking this loop requires working directly with the nervous system through exercises like forceful exhales and thoracic mobilization.
Our body's response to stress, known as the freeze response, can significantly impact our posture and emotions. This protective posture, which includes rounded shoulders and a curled spine, sends a signal from our body to our brain that we're under threat. This creates a feedback loop where our brain interprets the posture as a danger sign and worsens the posture. To interrupt this loop, it's essential to work directly with the nervous system to change the posture. Individuals with a history of repetitive early childhood trauma may carry this protective posture longer, leading to increased muscle tension and chronic pain. Practicing forceful exhales and thoracic mobilization exercises can help release this energy and change the posture. By understanding the connection between our nervous system, posture, and emotions, we can work towards interrupting the feedback loop and improving our overall well-being.
Our past experiences shape our responses to stressors: Understanding past patterns and bodily sensations can help us break free from negative thought loops and take action despite overwhelming tasks
Our past experiences and learned patterns can significantly impact our adult behavior, particularly in response to stressors. The body's natural response to perceived threats, whether real or imagined, can lead to a freeze or collapse reaction, which can manifest as procrastination or avoidance. Our brains are wired for survival, and if we've learned that certain responses are necessary for our safety, we may continue to use them even when they're no longer appropriate. Additionally, our bodies may try to protect us from stressors by creating distractions or numbing mechanisms. Understanding these patterns and the underlying sensations in the body can help us break free from negative thought loops and take action, even when faced with overwhelming tasks.
Understanding the freeze response as a survival mechanism: Recognize the freeze response as a natural coping mechanism to protect us during stressful situations, rather than a sign of weakness or inability.
Our bodies have natural coping mechanisms to deal with stress and intense situations, including the freeze response. This response, often associated with shame and weakness, is actually a survival mechanism that keeps us safe. When we find ourselves replaying conversations or feeling shame about our reactions, it's important to remember that these responses are not a reflection of our worth or ability. Instead, they are a result of our nervous system trying to protect us. By recognizing and validating these responses, we can create a sense of safety in our bodies and reduce the overall stress we experience. This, in turn, can help us decrease the frequency and intensity of the freeze response. Additionally, it's crucial to understand that the freeze response is not a sign of weakness but a natural and adaptive strategy for survival.
Depression vs. Freeze Response: Depression and the freeze response share some physical symptoms but are distinct conditions. Depression is a chronic response to long-term stress, while the freeze response is an acute stress reaction characterized by immobilization and shame.
While depression and the freeze or collapse response share some similar physical symptoms, they are not the same. Depression is a chronic response to long-term stress, often preceded by periods of anxiety or anger, and characterized by a different neurological pathway. On the other hand, the freeze or collapse response is an acute stress reaction, often associated with feelings of shame, and characterized by a shutdown or immobilized state. The speaker shared a personal experience of being unable to confront a situation due to feeling frozen, and how this response can be linked to feelings of shame. It's important to distinguish between these two responses to better understand and address our emotional and mental health needs.
Understanding Trauma Responses: Freezing and Collapsing: Freezing and collapsing responses to trauma involve shame, disconnection, and relationship difficulties. Compassion is essential for healing, but misunderstandings can lead to relationship problems. Open communication about underlying causes is key to promoting understanding and compassion.
The trauma responses of freezing and collapsing, which are similar and involve feelings of shame, can be particularly challenging to work through due to the emotional heaviness and potential for relationship difficulties. These responses are often rooted in childhood abuse and can leave individuals feeling disconnected and unable to show up in their lives as they intend. Compassion is crucial for healing, but it can be difficult to practice when one is heavily burdened by shame. Misunderstandings in relationships can arise when others perceive the freezing or collapsing response as detachment or disinterest, leading to feelings of abandonment and triggering further trauma reactions. Open communication about these responses and their underlying causes is essential to prevent relationship problems and promote understanding and compassion.
Understanding and Healing Trauma Responses: Your nervous system is always trying to protect you, and understanding trauma responses can help you work with your body to discharge emotions and develop new reactions.
Even if you recognize yourself in the cycles of trauma responses, it doesn't mean you're stuck in them forever. Our nervous systems and brains are constantly changing, and there are practical ways to work with your body to discharge emotions and stress, retrain yourself, and develop new reactions. Having the knowledge and compassion for what's happening can help you move through these responses with less shame, guilt, and pain. Remember, your nervous system is always trying to protect you. For more information and support, visit rewiretrial.com.