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