Fight-Flight-Freeze Responses

How the Brain Processes a Wide Range of Ordeals?

INTRODUCTION

Fight-flight-freeze response is the brain’s natural reaction to danger or awareness (in

other words, it’s the brain alarm system).

Specifically, fight-or-flight is an active defense response where people fight or flee (run
away). When the people’s heart rate gets faster, it increases oxygen flow to major
muscles. The people’s pain perception drops and the people’s hearing sharpens. These
changes help to act appropriately and rapidly.

Freezing is fight-or-flight on hold, where the people further prepare to protect

themselves. It’s called reactive immobility or attentive immobility. It involves similar
physiological changes, but instead, you stay completely still and get ready for the next
move.

Fight-flight-freeze is an automatic reaction, so people can’t control it. Treatable

malfunction of certain biological mechanisms that allow people to cope with dangerous
experiences.

REACTION IN THE BODY

It begins in the amygdala (https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/amygdala#1).

The amygdala responds by sending a signal to the hypothalamus, which releases a
hormone called Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH) and stimulates the autonomic
nervous system (ANS).

The ANS consists of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The
sympathetic drives the fight-or-flight response and the parasympathetic nervous system
drives freezing. How you react depends on which system dominates the response at the
time. The CRH sends a signal to the pituitary gland to secrete a hormone called
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH). The ACTH is pumped into the bloodstream and
makes the Adrenal gland release cortisol.
Hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal systems are called the HPA axis, which is
responsible for stress hormone.

RESPONSES ON THE BODY

These hormones are released very quickly, which can make the people’s heart beats
faster to bring oxygen to major muscles, the people’s breathing speeds up to deliver more
oxygen to the blood, peripheral vision increases so they can notice their surroundings,
the people’s pupils dilate and let in more light, which helps to see better, ears becomes
sharper, blood thickens, which increases clotting factors to prepares the people’s body
from injury, the skin might produce more sweat or get cold, and hands and feet might get
cold. During freezing, your heart rate might increase or decrease and you might hold
your breath or restrict breathing.

Usually, it will return to its natural state after 20 or 30 minutes.

OVERACTIVE RESPONSES

Sometimes, the fight-flight-freeze response is overactive. This happens when a

non-threatening situation triggers the reaction.

How to cope with an overactive stress response? 1) Relaxation techniques, such as

deep abdominal breathing, focusing on a calming world, meditation, yoga, tai chi, or
repetitive prayer. 2) Physical activity, such as decreasing stress hormones, increasing
endorphins, improving calmness, or having better sleep. 3) Social support.

If you’re in a constant state of fight-flight, consider visiting a mental health

professional.

If you want to learn more about fight-flight-freeze responses, please visit:

https://trauma-recovery.ca/impact-effects-of-trauma/fight-flight-freeze-responses/

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/fight-flight-freeze#when-to-see-a-pro

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response

https://www.ted.com/talks/joelle_rabow_maletis_the_psychology_of_post_traumatic_stress_disor
der/up-next?language=en