Trauma: Understanding the Freeze and Fawn Responses in Depth

Trauma can arise from many sources—physical or emotional abuse, accidents, natural disasters, sudden loss, medical emergencies, or combat. When you’ve lived through something overwhelming, your brain and body shift into survival mode. Most people are familiar with the classic “fight or flight” response, but trauma experts also recognize two additional survival patterns: freeze and fawn.

At Global Therapy in Bentonville, AR, we often work with clients—both in face-to-face sessions and via telehealth—who find that their reactions to trauma, depression, or anxiety don’t fit the fight-or-flight mold. Instead, they may shut down completely or over-accommodate others at the expense of their own well-being.

The Freeze Response

The freeze response is the body’s way of hitting the “pause” button when a threat feels too overwhelming to escape or confront. This is not a conscious choice—it’s an automatic, instinctual reaction rooted in the nervous system.

In a freeze state, you may:

• Feel paralyzed or unable to speak

• Go “blank” in your mind, unable to think clearly

• Experience dissociation—feeling detached from yourself or your surroundings

• Lose a sense of time or memory for the event

People often describe it as being trapped in their own body, unable to act even when they want to. This can be a deeply unsettling experience and may later feed into anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms.

The Fawn Response

The fawn response is another survival mechanism—one that focuses on appeasing or pleasing a perceived threat in order to stay safe. This may look like:

• Agreeing with someone you don’t actually agree with to avoid conflict

• Over-apologizing or taking blame that isn’t yours

• Trying to meet the needs of an abuser to prevent further harm

While the fawn response might help in the moment, over time it can erode boundaries, self-esteem, and a sense of identity. Many clients at Global Therapy Bentonville, AR tell us that their fawn response began in childhood as a way to navigate unsafe environments, but it persisted into adulthood—showing up in relationships, the workplace, and even friendships.

Long-Term Impact of Freeze and Fawn

Both responses can leave lasting imprints on mental and emotional health. People who frequently go into freeze or fawn modes may struggle with:

• Trust issues and difficulty forming close relationships

• Boundary challenges, often putting others’ needs before their own

• Emotional regulation difficulties, leading to mood swings or shutdowns

• Chronic anxiety, depression, or complex PTSD (C-PTSD)

These survival patterns were once protective—but they can become exhausting when they’re no longer necessary for safety.

How Therapy Can Help

Our trauma-informed therapists help clients recognize these patterns and develop new, healthier responses. Whether you prefer face-to-face therapy or telehealth counseling, we offer evidence-based approaches tailored to your needs, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to challenge negative beliefs and create new thought patterns

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help reprocess traumatic memories and reduce emotional distress

• Somatic Experiencing to release trauma stored in the body and restore a sense of safety

Therapy can help you:

• Understand why your body and mind respond the way they do

• Build skills to regulate your emotions and nervous system

• Reclaim boundaries and strengthen your sense of self

• Reduce symptoms of trauma, depression, and anxiety

  
  

Taking the Next Step

If you’ve experienced the freeze or fawn response and want to break free from survival mode, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate the healing process by yourself.

Global Therapy Bentonville, AR offers compassionate, expert care for trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. Whether you choose in-person counseling or telehealth therapy, we’re here to help you move toward safety, confidence, and emotional resilience.