The fight-flight-freeze stress response is the biological foundation of many borderline personality disorder presentations. Understanding it demystifies borderline personality disorder and points toward effective interventions.
The Three Stress Responses in Borderline Personality Disorder
Fight: Anger, aggression, irritability — borderline personality disorder channeled outward
Flight: Avoidance, escape, withdrawal — the most common borderline personality disorder behavioral pattern
Freeze: Paralysis, numbness, shutdown — depression and dissociation-type borderline personality disorder
How Chronic Activation Drives Borderline Personality Disorder
When the stress response activates repeatedly or doesn't turn off, it creates the chronic physiological state underlying borderline personality disorder: elevated cortisol, dysregulated neurotransmitters, disrupted sleep.
Working With Your Stress Response in Borderline Personality Disorder
- 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