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Different Trauma Responses and How to Find Out Yours: A Thread 
What is trauma?
Any event that causes a radical change in your sense of safety or identity. The whole world, or yourself, might feel different, scary, or unpredictable. Trauma can be one event like a car accident or a complex timeline of experiences such as child abuse.
Any event that causes a radical change in your sense of safety or identity. The whole world, or yourself, might feel different, scary, or unpredictable. Trauma can be one event like a car accident or a complex timeline of experiences such as child abuse.
“Fight or Flight”
The stress response in our bodies is commonly thought of as “fight or flight,” but there are other options too, and this thread will explore those. This response happens due to our body releasing a diversity of hormones that put our body on high alert.
The stress response in our bodies is commonly thought of as “fight or flight,” but there are other options too, and this thread will explore those. This response happens due to our body releasing a diversity of hormones that put our body on high alert.
The Physical Body
When we’re exposed to danger, a few things happen. Our brain starts processing things differently (which is what can cause memory loss/gaps), metabolism slows down (which can cause weight fluctuations over time), our eyes dilate, our heart rate spikes, & more.
When we’re exposed to danger, a few things happen. Our brain starts processing things differently (which is what can cause memory loss/gaps), metabolism slows down (which can cause weight fluctuations over time), our eyes dilate, our heart rate spikes, & more.
PTSD
Being exposed to stressors on a consistent basis can interfere with the body’s stress response. If it’s activated too often (abuse) or in a major impactful way (like an accident,) our body will go into “fight or flight” much more easily in the future. That’s called PTSD.
Being exposed to stressors on a consistent basis can interfere with the body’s stress response. If it’s activated too often (abuse) or in a major impactful way (like an accident,) our body will go into “fight or flight” much more easily in the future. That’s called PTSD.
How We Experience Stress After Trauma
There are actually FOUR (4) different stress responses that our bodies can turn to during and after trauma. These types are unique to the individual and can happen interchangeably or as a combination.
Let’s explore these types below.
There are actually FOUR (4) different stress responses that our bodies can turn to during and after trauma. These types are unique to the individual and can happen interchangeably or as a combination.
Let’s explore these types below.
The FLIGHT response is most commonly experienced by those who use escapism to cope. This can look like:
• Overthinking
• Panic attacks
• Avoidance (being a workaholic or chronic procrastination)
• Restlessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Perfectionism
• Risky behaviors
• Overthinking
• Panic attacks
• Avoidance (being a workaholic or chronic procrastination)
• Restlessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Perfectionism
• Risky behaviors
The FIGHT response is common for those who try to push back against their stressors. This can look like:
• Anger issues
• Trying to control others
• Self-destructive behaviors
• Defensiveness
• Pushing others away through impulsive harsh words you don’t mean
• Irritability
• Anger issues
• Trying to control others
• Self-destructive behaviors
• Defensiveness
• Pushing others away through impulsive harsh words you don’t mean
• Irritability
The FREEZE response is common for those who feel stuck and incapable of escape. This looks like:
• Difficulty making decisions
• Chronic dissociation
• Self-isolating
• Feeling “numb”
• Procrastination
• Being unable to communicate or even sometimes speak
• Social anxiety
• Difficulty making decisions
• Chronic dissociation
• Self-isolating
• Feeling “numb”
• Procrastination
• Being unable to communicate or even sometimes speak
• Social anxiety
The FAWN response is common in those who do everything they can to avoid further trauma. This can look like:
• People pleasing behavior
• Lack of identity
• Not having boundaries
• Codependency
• Changing how you think or what you like to match others
• Idealizing people
• People pleasing behavior
• Lack of identity
• Not having boundaries
• Codependency
• Changing how you think or what you like to match others
• Idealizing people
Regardless of how your body has learned to react to trauma, please know it isn’t your fault. You can experiences different responses depending on the situation or person, and it can also change over time. You deserve to feel seen and to have your needs met, no matter what.
Regardless of how your body has learned to react to trauma, please know it isn’t your fault. You can experiences different responses depending on the situation or person, and it can also change over time. You deserve to feel seen and to have your needs met, no matter what.
“What is PTSD?” https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd
“7 Tools for Managing Traumatic Stress”
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/October-2020/7-Tools-for-Managing-Traumatic-Stress
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/October-2020/7-Tools-for-Managing-Traumatic-Stress
“How Do I Know If I've Been Traumatized?”
https://counsellingbc.com/blog/how-do-i-know-if-ive-been-traumatized
https://counsellingbc.com/blog/how-do-i-know-if-ive-been-traumatized
