Complex Post-Traumatic Stress | Post-Traumatic Stress | Adverse Childhood Experiences

FIGHT FLIGHT
Self-preservation at all costs Feelings of panic and anxiety
Anger—Explosive temper, outbursts ‘Workaholic’
Aggressive behavior Obsessive and/or compulsive behaviors
Can’t hear others points of view Always on the go
Pronounced sense of entitlement Staying busy
Dominate/Control others Over worrying
Demand perfection from others Perfectionist
Pursue Power and Control Over achiever
Impulsive Decision Making Hyperactive, rushing around
Assertive “Bully” Over analytical
Incessant Criticizing/Raging Can’t sit still/relax
Dictatorial tendencies Tries to micromanage situations/other people
These behaviors are symptoms of the automatic trauma response. These behaviors are symptoms of the automatic trauma response.
This trauma response often clinically labels a person with/as: This trauma response often clinically labels a person with/as:
Narcissist, Sociopath, Conduct Disorder Obsessive-Compulsive, Bipolar, ADHD, Panic, Mood Disorder

FREEZE FAWN
Depression Co-Dependent
Dissociation Has a hard time standing up or saying ‘no’
Brain Fog Scared to share their opinion
Avoids human contact Talks about ‘other’ instead of themselves
Detached Lack of boundaries, easily exploited by others
Isolating self from the outside world Defers to others in decision making
Wants to hide from the world Avoids conflict
Struggles with making/acting on decisions Difficult to identify feelings, even when alone
Hibernating Feel like you have no identity
Couch potato Constantly trying to please people
Lifeless/feeling dead inside Appease the other person to avoid conflict
Feeling ‘spaced out’ Accept beliefs, thoughts, and truths of others
Feeling unreal Uncomfortable/threatened when asked opinion
Dissociates Concerned with social standing/acceptance
Achievement-phobic ‘Angel of Mercy’ / Over-caring / ‘Yes’ person
These behaviors are symptoms of the automatic trauma response. These behaviors are symptoms of the automatic trauma response.
This trauma response often clinically labels a person with/as: This trauma response often clinically labels a person with/as:
Depression, Schizophrenia, Attention Deficit, Dissociative Identity Codependent, Victim, Borderline Traits

This document created from the following sources, accessed 12/12/2020 Most people have one or two dominant ‘stress responses that they
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/addiction-and-recovery/202008/understanding-fight-flight-freeze-and-the-fawn-response typically fall back into as their main mode of reacting to stressful
https://themighty.com/2020/01/fight-flight-freeze-fawn-trauma-responses/ triggers and situations, or perceived threats. The goal is to process
https://medium.com/@kathrynmintner/flight-fight-freeze-and-fawn-responses-in-cptsd-aaf91dbad17a the trauma with EMDR, not manage symptoms or learn to ’cope’.