Anxiety Therapist Shares The Impact of Stress and Trauma on Our Reactions
Anxiety Therapist Shares The Impact of Stress and Trauma on Our Reactions
Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC
Do you often feel overwhelmed by your reactions or struggle with intense internal conflict? Perhaps you notice yourself reacting in ways that seem contradictory or out of proportion, leaving you feeling confused or ashamed. These kinds of responses are more common than you might think, especially for those with a history of trauma. The truth is, your reactions make sense in the context of your past experiences. When we’ve been through overwhelming situations, our minds and bodies develop survival strategies to protect us, sometimes leading to extreme or conflicting emotions. In this post, we’ll explore why these responses occur and how they are not only normal but adaptive.
In a previous post, I used the Window of Tolerance to explain different nervous system arousal and the importance of understanding when you are within your window of tolerance and your personal tells indicating that you’re exceeding your own limits.
In this post, we will dive a bit deeper into the specific nervous system responses.
Most of us have heard of the nervous system's survival responses: fight, flight, freeze, submit, and seek support. These reactions are the body’s way of protecting us when it perceives danger. They’re automatic, instinctual, and designed to keep us safe in moments of threat. However, when our nervous system has difficulty regulating after repeated exposure to stress or trauma, these survival responses can become ingrained in our daily behavior. Instead of being temporary reactions to danger, they may start showing up in situations that aren’t threatening, leading to patterns of behavior that feel hard to control or understand.
Let’s look at how these patterns emerge along the fault lines of the nervous system.
Fight Response
The fight response often comes up when the body senses a threat that feels surmountable. It can show up as anger, irritability, or a strong drive to take control of a situation. While the fight response is designed to protect us in the face of danger, it can become a default mode when the nervous system is stuck in overdrive. Over time, this might manifest as frequent arguments, a need to be “right” or in control, or even an undercurrent of frustration that shows up in day-to-day life. It’s the body’s way of trying to regain safety, but when the system is dysregulated, it might react this way even when there's no actual threat present.
Flight Response
The flight response occurs when the nervous system perceives danger but senses that escape is possible. This response can lead to behaviors like avoiding conflict, leaving stressful situations, or constantly staying busy to avoid discomfort. For some, it might manifest as perfectionism or feeling the need to stay "one step ahead" of potential threats. While fleeing from danger is an adaptive survival strategy, when this response becomes habitual, it can lead to chronic avoidance of difficult emotions or situations, leaving a person feeling like they’re always running, both physically and emotionally.
Freeze Response
The freeze response happens when neither fight nor flight feels possible—when the body shuts down to protect itself. In moments of overwhelm, the nervous system may numb out, causing a person to feel disconnected or stuck. Over time, this can become a pattern of dissociation or paralysis, where emotions and actions feel frozen. You might find yourself unable to make decisions, feeling trapped, or having difficulty engaging in life fully. The freeze response is a natural reaction to trauma, but when it becomes the norm, it can leave a person feeling disconnected from themselves and others.
Submit Response
Submission is often less talked about but is a survival response where we surrender to what feels like an inevitable threat. In situations of chronic stress or trauma, the nervous system may default to appeasing others or giving up autonomy to stay safe. This response can lead to people-pleasing behaviors, feeling powerless, or constantly putting others’ needs ahead of yours. While submitting might have helped in dangerous situations, when this response gets stuck, it can result in chronic self-sacrifice or a loss of personal boundaries.
Seek Support Response
The seek support response is the body’s way of reaching out for help when we feel vulnerable. In a healthy, regulated system, it allows us to turn to others for comfort and safety. However, when the nervous system struggles to regulate, seeking support can become a pattern of dependency, constantly needing reassurance or external validation to feel safe. While it's natural to want support during stress, when the nervous system is dysregulated, this response can lead to an overwhelming need for others to provide a sense of safety that feels out of reach internally.
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Not Quite Ready for Anxiety Therapy?
At Mindful Living Counseling, we have a dedicated team of anxiety therapists who are ready to help you overcome stress and trauma. If you're interested in learning more we suggest checking out the articles provided below in the meantime.
Additional Anxiety Therapy Orlando Resources
Trauma Therapist: Is it ADHD or PTSD or Both?
Understanding the Fawn Response
Explores the Difference between Physical Trauma & Attachment Trauma
Understanding the Window of Tolerance
Anxiety Therapist Orlando Shares 7 Ways to Support a Loved One Who Is Struggling
How EMDR Therapy Can Heal Emotional and Somatic Flashbacks
Orlando Therapist Explains How EMDR Therapy Works
Other Therapy Services Offered at Mindful Living Counseling in Orlando
At Mindful Living Counseling our team is dedicated to assisting you in overcoming any challenges you may face. We offer a variety of therapy services, including Trauma Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Teen Therapy, and Guided Meditations.
About Anxiety Therapist: Lauran Hahn
Lauran Hahn, LMHC, is a therapist practicing in Orlando. She specializes in helping individuals cope with trauma and heal from relationships. As a Certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant offering EMDR intensives, Lauran is dedicated to assisting her clients in finding peace in their bodies, clarity in their thoughts, and positive connections in their relationships.