Freeze trauma response
Lately I’ve been super stressed out, possibly the most stress I’ve been in my life. I understand how my past trauma and CPTSD works, but I can’t control my freeze response to any conflict at the moment. My boyfriend has pulled me up on it many times, but when we are fighting or have tension I can’t help but space out and freeze, and not help the situation
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how they pull themselves out of the freeze response?
@littlepeculiargirl Freeze response is very common and can occur due to many defense mechanisms trying to take over. In some people it can become frequent, cause discomfort and make someone non-functional for a while. It can be challenging to cope with it but it is triggered by fear. At the moment you can practice some relaxation techniques to help you focus and manage it. Finding the source of that fear or general insecurity can definitely be a long-term solution for that issue. Thank you very much for sharing!
I can so relate to this. I never understood what it was before. I thought about it trying to analyze what was wrong with me. To hear this has a name and is a real thing that exists is a good thing. How to deal with is a whole other issue. I celebrated when I can pull myself out of these times.
@littlepeculiargirl
I so understand this response. I too have CPTSD and depression. It's so difficult to stop the response, I've been practicing in therapy on ways to respond better by going over situations that have triggered it. For me so far I've had to remove myself completely from places that cause the freeze response. My job was a big one, I left because of my CPTSD. It helps to reduce some of the exposure to situations for awhile.
Best of luck and I hope for healing for you as quickly as possible.
ABB 💜