Trauma responses/Reactions. Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn, Flop ..

Trauma Responses/Activations

Understanding Trauma Responses

Trauma responses are the natural reactions our body and mind develop after experiencing significant distress or danger. These responses are not choices we make, they’re built-in survival mechanisms designed to protect us from further harm. Even when the immediate threat has passed, these responses can persist, influencing how we react to situations in the present.

What Are Trauma Responses?

When a person encounters a traumatic event, whether it’s an accident, abuse, loss, or any other overwhelming experience, the brain and nervous system are set into motion to cope with the threat. This reaction can be automatic, meaning it happens before we consciously process the experience. Essentially, trauma responses are the body’s way of keeping us safe by preparing us to respond to danger.

These responses come in several forms. You may have heard of the classic “fight or flight” response, but research and clinical observations have expanded our understanding to include a variety of responses. Some common reactions include:

• Fight: A more aggressive response characterized by anger or defensiveness. When triggered, a person may feel their heart race, muscles tense, or an overwhelming urge to confront what feels threatening.

• Flight: The urge to run away from a situation. This response might show up as restlessness, avoidance behaviours, or a sense of urgency to leave an environment even when you might not be physically endangered.

• Freeze: A sort of shutdown response where it feels as though the mind and body “lock up.” You might feel numb, detached, or unable to react when faced with triggering reminders.

• Fawn: An effort to please or appease to avoid conflict or further harm. This might look like excessive people-pleasing or putting others needs ahead of your own, as a way to avert potential threat.

• Collapse or Flop: Sometimes described as a collapse or a surrender response, where the body goes “soft” or "faint" in reaction to extreme stress.

  
  

These variations illustrate how trauma responses can differ from person to person, even though they share the common goal of protecting us from perceived danger.

Why Do Trauma Responses Occur?

Our brains are designed to detect danger. When faced with a traumatic event, the sympathetic nervous system, the part responsible for our "fight or flight" reactions, kicks into high gear. This is an essential survival skill, by reacting quickly, we increase our chances of escaping harm. However, when trauma occurs, the brain’s alarm system can become overly sensitive.

Even after the original threat has ended, everyday sounds, smells, or even a particular tone of voice can trigger memories of the trauma. These cues remind the brain of past danger, and the trauma response is activated automatically, sometimes even when there is no immediate threat. This over-activation is the body’s way of remaining on high alert for potential harm, a vestige of past experiences intended to keep us safe . For example:

• Heightened Sensitivity: An everyday sound, smell, or sight may trigger memories of when things were dangerous. If you’ve experienced a traumatic car accident, the sound of screeching brakes could suddenly send your body into high alert.

• Survival Mode: The mind and body might continue to operate in a kind of “survival mode” long after the situation has returned to normal. This adaptation, while initially protective, can lead to difficulties in everyday life if every little trigger is read as a sign of danger.

  
  

The idea is that our systems remain on stand-by, ever-alert and ready to react to threats, even if the environment is safe now, because they learned from past experiences that vigilance could mean survival.

What Do Trauma Responses Look Like?

Knowing how these responses show up in our daily life can help us recognize when our actions might be driven by past trauma. Here are some examples:

• Overreacting in Conflict (Fight): You might notice that you tend to get unusually angry or defensive in conversations, even when there isn’t a clear reason. Your body may feel tight or tense, and you might react with sharp or harsh words. This response is a way to reclaim control when you feel threatened.

  Possible Reasons Why:

  • Perceived Threat: The body has learned that confrontation can help ward off danger.

  • Past Experiences: If you grew up in an environment where aggression was necessary for survival, like frequent bullying or household conflict, the fight response might have been your early way to protect yourself.

  • Need for Control: When unexpected events trigger memories of helplessness, anger may arise as a way to reclaim a sense of power.

• Avoidance or Withdrawal (Flight): Avoidance is a common sign. Perhaps you steer clear of certain places or people because they remind you of past trauma. You might also find yourself constantly on the move, engaging in activities that distract you from uncomfortable feelings.

  Possible Reasons Why:

  • Avoidance of Pain: The instinct to flee is often rooted in a desire to avoid experiencing the emotional turmoil of a triggering situation.

  • Learned Behaviour: If past environments were unpredictable or unsafe, the impulse to escape may have developed as a way to avoid further harm.

  • Sensitivity to Reminders: Everyday stimuli, such as certain smells or sounds, can trigger memories of past danger, leading to a quick urge to remove oneself from the perceived threat.

• Emotional Shutdown (Freeze): When overwhelmed, you may feel stuck as if you’re unable to act or speak. It can feel like the world has slowed down, leaving you disconnected from your surroundings. This emotional numbness is your body’s method of coping when things become too intense.

  Possible Reasons Why:

  • Overwhelm: When the mind senses a threat but perceives no clear way out, freezing may be a way to avoid making things worse.

  • Dissociation: For some, freezing is a form of dissociation, which helps them detach from painful emotions.

  • Past Encounters: It may stem from early experiences where fighting or fleeing wasn’t possible, so the body “learned” to shut down to cope with overwhelming stress.

• Excessive People-Pleasing (Fawn): If you tend to always try to please others or put their needs before your own, even at your own expense, you could be experiencing a fawn response. This behaviour is a way to reduce conflict, ensuring that the perceived threat doesn’t re-emerge.

  Possible Reasons Why:

  • Seeking Safety Through Connection: If past interactions taught you that being agreeable minimizes conflict or personal harm, fawning becomes a learned way to keep relationships stable.

  • Avoiding Abandonment: For some, excessive people-pleasing develops as a way to ensure that they’re not rejected or abandoned by others.

  • Relief in Approval: When early validation was rare or conditional, striving to appease others might have seemed like the only way to finally feel accepted.

• Feeling Drained or Collapsed (Flop): In moments of high stress, you might feel like you’re “collapsing” emotionally, overwhelmed, drained, or unable to muster the energy to react. This response can sometimes leave you feeling helpless or resigned.

  Possible Reasons Why:

  • Emotional Overload: After repeated exposure to stress or trauma, the system may simply become overwhelmed, leading to a shutdown.

  • Protection Against Further Pain: Collapsing can be a subconscious way to avoid conscious thought about overwhelming experiences.

  • Learned Resignation: If experiences repeatedly reinforced that your needs won’t be met, a voluntary surrender may develop as a way to conserve energy in what seems like a hopeless situation.

  
  

Recognizing these signs within yourself or others is a first step toward understanding how past trauma might be influencing present behaviours. Each response is a reflection of an underlying need for safety and self-protection, even if the circumstances that originally triggered them no longer exist.

Understanding trauma responses, what they are, why they occur, and what they look like, can be a powerful tool on the path to healing. By recognizing these patterns, you gain insight into your behaviour and emotional reactions, which is an essential step in reclaiming your sense of well-being. There’s always more to explore, such as how specific life events might shape these responses further or real-life stories that shed light on the resilience behind them.

Disclaimer

Please note: The ideas discussed in this blog are intended for informational and reflective purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

If you are experiencing any mental health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare provider or a licensed mental health professional.

These ideas reflect our current understanding, and much research continues to expand our knowledge. While one size does not fit all, and many tools and approaches can help you reach your destination, each journey is unique. Collaboration between you, your healthcare professionals, and your support network is crucial.

This is the way I see my work: I honour each individual’s unique journey and offer perspectives designed to empower you on your own healing path. This blog does not recommend discontinuing or altering any prescribed medications or treatment plans; always make decisions regarding your health in consultation with a trusted healthcare professional.