The fight-flight-freeze stress response is the biological foundation of many adverse childhood experiences presentations. Understanding it demystifies adverse childhood experiences and points toward effective interventions.
The Three Stress Responses in Adverse Childhood Experiences
Fight: Anger, aggression, irritability — adverse childhood experiences channeled outward
Flight: Avoidance, escape, withdrawal — the most common adverse childhood experiences behavioral pattern
Freeze: Paralysis, numbness, shutdown — depression and dissociation-type adverse childhood experiences
How Chronic Activation Drives Adverse Childhood Experiences
When the stress response activates repeatedly or doesn't turn off, it creates the chronic physiological state underlying adverse childhood experiences: elevated cortisol, dysregulated neurotransmitters, disrupted sleep.
Working With Your Stress Response in Adverse Childhood Experiences
- Name it: 'My nervous system is in fight/flight/freeze right now'
- Move: Physical movement discharges the mobilization energy of fight/flight
- Breathe: Activates the off-switch for the stress response
- Connect: Safe social engagement signals to the nervous system that the threat has passed