What Is a Trauma Response?

Our brains are constantly working hard to keep us safe, especially during moments of stress or especially scary events. Some of those events can be traumatic, often leading to long-term repercussions.

In those cases, your brain might have an immediate response to the trauma, like confusion or shock. But you can also experience more long-term responses, like flashbacks. Some people even experience physical pain as a long-term response to trauma.

But, all of these manifestations are because of the four main types of trauma responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn.

Chances are, you’ve at least heard of fight or flight, but let’s dig a little deeper into all of these common trauma responses.

Fight

Your brain serves as a natural defense mechanism. Sometimes, that means standing up for yourself in traumatic situations. Most people recognize how you can fight off a threat, physically. But, the fight response goes beyond that.

Unfortunately, on a long-term basis, the fight response can cause you to become something of a bully. You might develop controlling behaviors and experience anger — even with yourself. Those are all still defense mechanisms, making you feel like you constantly have to be on edge and alert, as if something “bad” could happen at any moment.

Flight

While the flight response might simply sound like you’re running away from a dangerous situation, there’s more to it than that.

It’s true that flight is meant to help you escape when you’re in harm’s way.

But, as a long-term trauma response, flight can cause you to become something of a perfectionist. You might stay busy all the time and overload your schedule to avoid thinking about or facing your fears and what you’ve gone through.

Freeze

It’s normal for some people to freeze up when they’re in a dangerous situation. In fact, it’s an animal instinct that many of us have. For example, you may have been taught to stay perfectly still if a dangerous animal is nearby, assuming they won’t see you.

This is an example of the freeze response, which can work in certain situations to keep you safe.

As a long-term trauma response, though, freezing can lead to isolation. You might try to cut yourself off from really living your life, enjoying experiences, and spending time with people.

Freezing can even lead to dissociation, allowing you to disconnect from your trauma. That might not seem like a bad thing. But, it can cause you to zone out, deal with brain fog, and have a hard time concentrating on everyday things.

Fawn

Fawn is probably the least known trauma response, but it can be one of the most damaging.

When you “fawn” over someone, you’re essentially doing whatever you can to please them. What does that have to do with trauma? It’s a way to maintain emotional security by being empathetic to others. You’ll go out of your way to help them and care for them.

Again, that’s not a bad thing for a while, but it’s not a sustainable way to live because you’re not ever fully facing your own issues.

Trauma responses are normal and are your brain’s way of protecting you. But, none of them are healthy coping mechanisms for long.

You can move past trauma and its effects with the right treatment. That often starts by acknowledging what you’ve been through with the help of a professional. Digging into your experience(s) isn’t always easy. But, it’s a necessary first step toward true healing.

If you’ve been struggling with the long-term effects of trauma responses, you’re not alone. Feel free to contact me to set up an appointment soon for trauma therapy.