Fight, Flight, Freeze: What Trauma Responses Really Look Like
By Dr. Shruti Surya
Most people have heard of “fight or flight,” but trauma can affect us in more ways than just panic or anger. Sometimes, trauma doesn’t make you run—or fight—it makes you shut down.
You freeze. You go still.
You go numb.
You disconnect from your body, your thoughts, your ability to act.
If you’ve ever felt “stuck” or “shut down,” this might not be a personal flaw—it could be your nervous system protecting you.
Understanding the freeze response is a powerful step toward healing from trauma.
What Is the Freeze Response?
The freeze response is one of the body’s natural survival mechanisms—just like fight or flight. But instead of preparing you to act, it prepares you to survive by doing nothing.
It might look like:
- Zoning out or dissociating during stress
- Feeling paralyzed or “numb” when overwhelmed
- Being unable to make decisions or take action
- Collapsing into sleep, fatigue, or fog
- Losing touch with your emotions or body
This is not laziness. It’s a biological reaction often triggered by:
Past trauma (especially ongoing or childhood trauma)
Overwhelming emotional stress
Feeling helpless or unsupported
Your nervous system is doing its best to keep you safe. Even if the threat is in the past, your body may still be reacting like it’s happening now.
Why Freeze Is Often Misunderstood
Many of us were taught that we should push through, stay productive, “snap out of it.” So when freeze shows up, it can feel like failure, weakness, or even depression.
But freeze is not a choice. It’s a protective response when fight or flight don’t feel possible or safe. It’s your nervous system hitting pause to survive the overwhelm.
In trauma therapy, we don’t shame or try to force you out of this state. We learn to work with it, gently and safely, so your body starts to trust that it doesn’t need to shut down anymore.
How Therapy Can Help with Freeze
Healing from trauma—especially when freeze is involved—is not about “trying harder.” It’s about creating safety in the body, one step at a time.
In therapy, we can:
- Build awareness of how trauma shows up in your body
- Gently reconnect with sensations and emotions, at your pace
- Develop tools to regulate your nervous system and reduce shutdown
- Explore past experiences without re-traumatizing
- Shift from survival mode into connection and vitality
This work is slow. That’s not a flaw—it’s part of the healing.
You Don’t Have to Push Through Alone
If the freeze response is part of your trauma experience, I want you to know that it makes sense. There is nothing wrong with you—and therapy can help you find your way forward, safely and gently.
I offer online trauma therapy throughout Texas. If you’re ready to begin, or just want to ask questions, I invite you to reach out.