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