A long time ago, staying in tribes and remaining vigilant to threats from predators ensured human survival. We’ve survived because our minds and bodies have evolved to deal with threats by either moving or not moving. Let me explain.

Surviving by moving

In the presence of threats to safety, the human alarm system is activated. The part of our brains sensitised to detect threat – the amygdala – signals to the reptilian brain that the threat is genuine and sounds the alarm.

Stress hormones – adrenaline and cortisol – are released into our nervous systems – preparing us to move away from the danger or fight it.

As the amygdala is quick and dirty, it can sound even when there isn’t a real threat to safety. It’s because these threat response systems are so easily triggered that is at the root of many everyday feelings of anxiety.

If we’re lucky – and haven’t experienced trauma before – another part of our brain – the hippocampus – will use more sophisticated reasoning based on previous experience and logic, to determine whether a threat is actually dangerous.

Surviving by not moving

But what if there is no hope of movement to actively resist danger? What if we’re trapped, held down, or otherwise immobilised?

In some traumatic situations – especially in childhood – it isn’t possible to move to safety, or fight because the consequences of doing so would be even more dangerous.

There is another option – not moving. Otherwise known as ‘freeze’.

The aim is to lay low, play dead, avoid being noticed, and retain energy for escape later.

Our bodies freeze, becoming numb and our minds protect us by dissociating from what’s happening.

But while this helps us to survive the experience itself, it’s widely misinterpreted by survivors and others as being actively complicit. Like it's a choice.

The self-blame and shame associated with ‘not moving’ e.g. away from an abuser makes this traumatic experience especially difficult to cope with.

In whatever way you survived a traumatic experience, therapy can help you to cope with post traumatic stress responses.  Please reach out for support.