Why do I freeze in therapy?

The freeze response comes up when the organism decides whatever is facing it is overwhelming, too much to cope with. Fight or flight won’t work. Therefore, it “decides” the best strategy is to hold still, be uninteresting, and see if the threat passes.

How do I break a freeze response?

Shake it off: If you are feeling REALLY frozen, you can begin to thaw yourself by standing up and shaking your body all over. Animals have been observed to do this after emerging from a freeze response.

Can therapy keep you stuck?

If your therapy has become focused on changing or controlling someone else, or a situation that is beyond your control, your “stuck-ness” may continue until you refocus on the things you do have some control over; namely, your inner reactions to outer realities.

What causes a person to freeze up?

Your body’s fight-flight-freeze response is triggered by psychological fears. It’s a built-in defense mechanism that causes physiological changes, like rapid heart rate and reduced perception of pain. This enables you to quickly protect yourself from a perceived threat.

What do you do after a therapy session?

Coping Tools After Your Therapy Session Write about what is so difficult for you. It is also important to engage in self-care like mindfulness or yoga. Recreational activities can help you, as well, like going for a walk, taking a bath, reading a book, or other fun activities to help you feel good.

What causes someone to freeze up?

Why do I freeze when I think about my trauma?

If you have PTSD or have experienced some sort of trauma in the past, any situation that reminds you of your trauma may trigger the freeze response. If you find yourself freezing, taking some deep breaths and paying attention to your physical sensations and surroundings can help.

What is the freeze response in psychology?

The freeze response is hard-wired in our reptilian brain. When “fight or flight” is not an option, our autonomic nervous system goes into a freeze response and we become immobilized. The phrases “scared stiff” or “frozen with fear” reflect this mammalian characteristic.

What does it mean when you freeze up emotionally?

Freezing up emotionally occurs when your nervous system is traumatized Understanding why you’re freezing up Too often “freezing up” is a chronic state. Ever catch yourself holding your breath, or spontaneously heaving a deep, long sigh?

How can I prevent the freeze response?

While you can’t completely prevent the freeze response, there are steps you can take to make it a little less likely, such as practicing relaxation techniques while you are calm. Getting professional therapy can also be helpful.