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