The symptoms listed above are some of the issues and emotions you might experience for FREEZE Trauma Response
SELF ISOLATION…Self Isolation is understandingly common when a tangible loss is experienced. It gives us time to grieve, mourn, reflect, and begin to heal. We are struggling to deal with feelings that have a definitive reason. In trauma abuse, we may not know why we are isolating. Again, those feelings of knowing something is wrong, but not being able to put a finger on it, or a name to it causes more anxiety, physical stress, shame, and frustration. It may seem easier to use self-isolation as a self-induced coping mechanism. When we don’t get the emotional support we need, and receive negative stimulation we are assuming that it is something that we have caused, or that something is wrong with us. It may feel like it’s easier to turn in than try to reach out for the comfort, and social stimulation we aren’t getting.
DISASSOCIATION… Disassociation and dissociation mean basically the same thing. Dissociation is considered a psychological term only, and disassociation could be a reference to anything. Disassociation in reference to the Freeze Trauma Response could be described as just turning the light switch off. It is a way of saying I can’t deal with this any longer, or this is not really happening. For me the reference was from Alice In Wonderland; going down the rabbit hole. This is not to be confused with daydreaming or zoning out for awhile. It is a real escape from the physical and or emotional trauma you are trying to deal with. Working with breath, and having a journal to write in can help you identify some triggers. Medical advice is of course another alternative.
FEELING STUCK…Feeling stuck is just what it says!! Do you have days where everything you do is with great effort or seems to be in slow motion? I mean you’ve tried everything you can think of and nothing is working. When you realize the trauma abuse has happened, it’s difficult to just ignore it and move on!!! Sometimes we are unable to move past that point in time, hence the feeling stuck mentality. It can also cause physical stress. You can go over and over it, and still not be able to leave it and move on. It casts a fog over your memory, and you need to be able to navigate through it to find your way back to the road. It’s easy for someone to say forget it, but it’s not their trauma! Small, steady, consistent changes in habits and positive self talk are some suggestions. Give yourself permission to make those small changes, and remember to say thank you to you for doing that. Self care is a great start to getting out of the quicksand.
IMPAIRED DECISION MAKING…Impaired Decision Making is a result of the symptoms above. When we go through a traumatic experience of any kind, the first thing we have been taught is don’t make any sudden moves or quick changes. Again, this is advice given for tangible things, like a death, divorce, and possibly a physical trauma, ie a fall, car accident, I know you get it…Freeze Trauma impaired decision making could lead to a lapse in judgement that directly affects your health and safety. If you are feeling at all like you might be making a bad or unsafe decision, please call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number 988