How Trauma Affects Your Nervous System: Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn

How Trauma Affects Your Nervous System: Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn

Have you ever noticed how certain situations make you feel like your body is reacting before you can even think? That tightness in your chest, the feeling like you just want to run, or the moments when you freeze, unsure of what to do. These are all signs that your nervous system is in survival mode, and trauma plays a big part in that.

Whether it’s a big traumatic event or something smaller that may not seem like a big deal, trauma can leave a lasting impact. It keeps your nervous system on high alert, even when the danger has long passed. And that’s when you find yourself in one of four responses: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn.

Let’s take a closer look at what each of these responses feels like and how trauma can keep us stuck in these patterns.

Fight: When You Feel Ready to Defend Yourself

When your nervous system goes into fight mode, you feel a rush of energy, and your instinct is to defend yourself. You might feel angry, irritated, or even like you’re on edge, ready to lash out at anyone who crosses you.

This response is often linked to trauma where you felt powerless, and now your body’s automatic reaction is to fight back, even when it’s not necessary. It’s like your nervous system is saying, “I won’t let anyone hurt me again.”

Flight: The Urge to Escape

Ever feel like running away from everything when life gets overwhelming? That’s your flight response kicking in. It’s your nervous system telling you to escape the danger, whether it’s real or just perceived.

You might notice this when you avoid conflict, feel restless, or get anxious in situations that make you uncomfortable. Trauma has conditioned your body to believe that escaping is the safest option, so you run—physically or emotionally.

Freeze: Feeling Stuck or Unable to Move Forward

Sometimes, instead of reacting with fight or flight, you might freeze. This happens when your body feels like it’s unable to cope, and the best option is to shut down completely. You might feel disconnected from your emotions, like you’re watching your life from a distance but unable to take control.

Freezing is a response to trauma that taught you there was no way out. You couldn’t fight, and you couldn’t run, so your body learned to freeze. This can leave you feeling stuck in situations you know you want to change but just can’t seem to move forward.

Fawn: The Need to Please Others at Your Own Expense

The fawn response is when you find yourself constantly putting others’ needs before your own to avoid conflict or keep the peace. You may bend over backwards to please people, even when it’s at the expense of your own happiness.

This response often comes from trauma where you learned that the only way to stay safe was to keep everyone else happy. It’s exhausting, and over time, it can make you feel like you’ve lost yourself.

How Trauma Keeps You in Survival Mode

Trauma, no matter how big or small, leaves a mark on your nervous system. It’s like your body is constantly bracing for danger, even when there’s no threat around. The smallest trigger can send you right back into survival mode, making you react in ways that might not seem logical in the moment.

But the good news is, healing is possible. When we begin to process the trauma that’s keeping your nervous system on high alert, we can bring your body back to a state of calm and balance.

Healing from Trauma and Finding Peace

The journey to healing starts with recognising these patterns. By understanding how your body reacts to stress and trauma, you can begin to release the old wounds that are holding you back. Whether it’s through Root Cause Therapy, somatic therapy, or trauma-focused coaching, there are ways to help your nervous system feel safe again.

As you heal, those fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses will begin to soften. You’ll find yourself reacting with calm rather than fear, and your body will finally be able to relax.

Ready to Break Free from Survival Mode?

If any of this feels familiar, you don’t have to face it alone. I’m here to support you as you start your healing journey. Together, we can explore what’s been holding you in survival mode and help you find the peace and balance you deserve.