Stuck (Fight or Flight)

[maddnessreturns]

So I have come to the self awareness that my response to most things is freezing. And that I breathe from my chest and don't take deep breathes often. I've had my therapist having to tell me to breathe during therapy because I just freeze up.

I think it's because growing up I didn't know what mom I got and had nowhere to go and was terrified for the fight response. I guess neither of those just never registered as viable. Trying to be an adult and keep myself together.

Now it's coming up for me and I'm trying to work on it. Trying to use deep breathing. I'm trying to convince myself to go to a flow yoga class that works on mediation and breathing also.

I was just curious if anyone else got th freeze and stuck instead of fight or flight response?

[Woolspinner2000]

Hi Madnessreturns

Yes, one of my frequent responses is the freeze mode. Rarely, if ever, do I hit the fight mode. My norm is the freeze or flight mode.

I don't know if you are familiar with Pete Walker, but he lists four responses including fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. They are highlighted in his book Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving.

I think it's because growing up I didn't know what mom I got and had nowhere to go and was terrified for the fight response.

I think it was very much the same for me. With no where to run and hide, I tended to freeze to try and be safe. My hypervigilence kicked in too.

Do you find the breathing focus helps you? It certainly can be a step allowing you to slow down that reflexive reaction.


Wools