The Fight, Flight, Freeze, Collapse response

Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Collapse is the body’s adaptive response to trauma, it can be used to describe our acute stress responses to feelings of threat, or danger. Fight is when the threat is confronted in an aggressive manner, the brain sends signals through the body to prepare for this physical encounter. Flight is the response to run from danger or threat, this happens when the person believes they can outrun the threat. Freeze is when neither fighting or flighting is a response, feeling frozen is the choice instead. Lastly, Collapse is when the response is to comply with threat. We tend to see that children experience the feelings of Fight, Flight, Freeze, Collapse Response very differently than adults do. Therefore, as a parent, it is important to understand that your child may not be able to verbalize their feelings of threat.

During these responses your child is having it is crucial and will help tremendously to identify what you need to be watching for. Listed below are examples of what parents should watch for.

Fight Response:

• Crying
• The desire to punch, rip, kick, stomp, etc.
• Feelings of Anger/Rage
• Suicidal Feelings
• Knotted Stomach/Nausea

Flight Response:

• Anxiety or Panicked Feelings
• Restless Legs and/or Numbness in the Legs
• Excessive Exercise
• Fidgeting

Freeze Response:

• Feelings of being stuck
• Restricted Breathing
• Heaviness/Stiffness
• Feeling Cold/Frozen/Numb

Collapse Response:

• Fainting
• Feelings of Dizziness
• Loss of Bowel Control

Often parents question what to do about the feelings of Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Collapse response their child is experiencing. It is important to find healthy ways to help your child deal with the responses when they happen. A starting point for this is being able to recognize the difference between imagined threats and real threats. Threats form the past can surface into the present as an imagined threat, being aware of when this is occurring can help you as a parent examine the threat and its responses. Also, it is very beneficial to know how to calm your child or act upon when they are confronted by something they feel threaten by. To help the Fight, Flight, Freeze Collapse Response pass, your child can take many approaches to calm themselves. For example, you and your child can practice breathing deeply or mindfulness in the moment, or openly talk about to your child about their present feelings. However, it is important to teach your child to act if they are being face with a threat that is real. Their body is prepared to act and release the psychological weight of the response. During this process, parents need to remain calm while working to best support their child during the threat they are experiencing.

 Fight, Flight, Freeze Collapse Response is a psychological response that can make it difficult to think effectively in the moment. Therefore, once the threat has passed, it is important for your child to reflect on their fears and feelings to better help them prepare for responding to future threats effectively.