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