What is Functional Freeze? Knowing and Overcoming The Survival Response

Have you ever felt like you're stuck, unable to move or think clearly in a stressful situation? You may be experiencing functional freeze, a survival response that can significantly impact your daily life and overall well-being.

What is Functional Freeze?

Functional freeze is a natural, instinctive reaction to perceived threats or overwhelming situations. It's your body's way of protecting you, but when it occurs frequently or in situations that don't warrant such an intense response, it can interfere with your ability to live life fully.

Functional freeze is a stress response that occurs when your body and mind temporarily "shut down" in the face of perceived danger or overwhelming stress. Unlike the more commonly known "fight or flight" responses, freeze involves a state of immobility and disconnect from your surroundings.

When you experience functional freeze, you might feel:

• Unable to move or speak

• Disconnected from your body or surroundings

• Difficulty thinking clearly or making decisions

• A sense of time slowing down or speeding up

This might come up in all different types of situations, from a job interview to an important presentation to overwhelming social situations.

It can also come up when you’re faced with a sudden, unexpected challenge or during arguments or confrontations.

Note: Functional freeze isn't a sign of weakness. It's your body's attempt to protect you, even if the response isn't always helpful in modern contexts.

The Difference Between Functional Freeze and Traditional Freeze Response

While both functional freeze and the traditional freeze response involve a state of immobility, there are key differences.

A traditional freeze response typically occurs in immediate, life-threatening situations, is often accompanied by complete physical immobility, and is usually short-lived, ending when the threat passes.

Alternatively, functional freeze can occur in less extreme, everyday stressful situations, may involve partial immobility or feeling "stuck" mentally, and can persist even after the stressful situation has passed.

Functional freeze can be adaptive in certain situations. For example, it might help you avoid escalating a conflict or prevent you from making rash decisions under pressure. However, when it becomes a frequent response to everyday stressors, it can interfere with your ability to engage fully in life.

The Science Behind Functional Freeze

To truly understand and manage functional freeze, it's helpful to explore the biology behind this response. At its core, functional freeze is rooted in your nervous system's attempt to keep you safe.

The primary player in this response is your autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS has two main branches: the sympathetic nervous system, often called the "fight or flight" system, and the parasympathetic nervous system: Known as the "rest and digest" system.

During a functional freeze response, both of these systems can be activated simultaneously, creating a state of high arousal (sympathetic) combined with immobility (parasympathetic). This can lead to feeling "stuck" or paralyzed in the face of stress.

The Autonomic Nervous System's Role

During functional freeze, the vagus nerve (a key component of the parasympathetic system) can trigger immobilization. This is why you might feel "stuck" or unable to move or speak in stressful situations.

Understanding this process can inform treatment approaches. For example, practices that stimulate the vagus nerve, such as deep breathing or humming, can help shift you out of a freeze state.

Polyvagal Theory and Functional Freeze

Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory provides a deeper understanding of the nervous system's role in our stress responses, including functional freeze. This theory suggests that our nervous system has three modes of operation:

• Social engagement (safe): We feel connected and calm

• Mobilization (danger): Fight or flight response

• Immobilization (life threat): Freeze response

According to this theory, our nervous system is constantly scanning our environment for signs of safety or danger, a process called neuroception. When our neuroception perceives a threat, it can trigger a freeze response.

Physical Symptoms

Functional freeze often comes with distinct physical symptoms, including:

• Muscle tension, especially in the neck, shoulders, and back

• Shallow, rapid breathing or feeling like you can't breathe

• A sensation of heaviness or immobility in your limbs

• Changes in heart rate (either speeding up or slowing down)

• Feeling cold or having cold hands and feet

• Digestive discomfort or nausea

Emotional and Cognitive Signs

Emotionally, functional freeze often involves feelings of:

• Numbness or emotional detachment

• Overwhelm or feeling unable to cope

• Anxiety or fear

• Shame or embarrassment

Cognitively, you might experience:

• Mind going blank or difficulty thinking clearly

• Negative self-talk or self-criticism

• Difficulty making decisions or problem-solving

• A sense of unreality or detachment from your surroundings

Common Triggers for Functional Freeze

Triggers are situations, experiences, or stimuli that activate your stress response and potentially lead to a freeze state. It's important to note that triggers can be highly individual — what causes a freeze response in one person might not affect another in the same way.

Past Trauma and PTSD

When you've been through a traumatic experience, your nervous system becomes more sensitive to potential threats, making freeze responses more frequent or intense.

With things like PTSD, your brain and body remain in a state of hypervigilance, ready to activate freeze (or fight/flight) responses at the slightest hint of danger. This can lead to freeze responses in situations that remind you of past trauma, even if they're objectively safe.

Examples of trauma-related triggers might include:

• Specific locations or environments similar to where the trauma occurred

• Certain sounds, smells, or physical sensations associated with the traumatic event

• Anniversary dates or reminders of the trauma

• Interactions that feel similar to traumatic experiences

Chronic Stress and Overwhelm

Ongoing stress can make you more susceptible to functional freeze. When you're constantly under pressure, your nervous system remains in a heightened state of arousal, making it easier to tip into a freeze response.

This relates to the concept of allostatic load – the wear and tear on your body from chronic stress. As your allostatic load increases, your ability to cope with additional stressors decreases, potentially leading to more frequent freeze responses.

Social Anxiety and Performance Pressure

Social situations and performance expectations can be significant triggers for functional freeze, especially for those prone to social anxiety. The fear of judgment, criticism, or failure can activate your stress response, potentially leading to a freeze state.

The impact of performance anxiety on freeze responses can be particularly challenging. As anxiety builds, you might find yourself unable to recall important information or articulate your thoughts, which can further increase anxiety, creating a difficult cycle.

Overcoming Functional Freeze

Your freeze response developed as a way to protect you, so be gentle with yourself as you work on changing this pattern.

Grounding Techniques

Grounding techniques are powerful tools for managing functional freeze. These practices help you reconnect with the present moment and your physical surroundings, effectively "unfreeze" your nervous system.

Here are some effective grounding exercises:

• The 5-4-3-2-1 Technique: Identify 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.

• Body grounding: Focus on how your body feels in contact with surfaces. Notice how your feet feel on the floor, how your back feels against a chair, etc.

• Object focus: Choose an object in your environment and describe it in detail, noting its color, texture, shape, and any patterns or unique features.

• Rhythmic breathing: Inhale for a count of 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and hold for 4. Repeat this cycle several times.

To make grounding techniques most effective, practice them regularly, even when you're not in a freeze state. This helps your brain and body become familiar with the process, making it easier to use these techniques when you need them most.

Mindfulness and Body Awareness Practices

Mindfulness can be a powerful tool for managing functional freeze. By cultivating present-moment awareness, you can learn to recognize the early signs of a freeze response and intervene before it fully takes hold.

Mindful breathing has you focus your attention on your breath. Notice the sensation of air moving in and out of your body. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath.

Body scan meditations systematically focus your attention on different parts of your body, from your toes to the top of your head. Notice any sensations without judgment.

Mindful movement is engaging in slow, deliberate movements (like gentle stretching or tai chi) while focusing on the sensations in your body.

Cognitive Restructuring

Our thoughts play a significant role in triggering and maintaining the freeze response. Cognitive behavioural strategies like cognitive restructuring can help you identify and change thought patterns that contribute to freezing. Here are a few examples:

• Evidence examination: Look for evidence that supports or contradicts your thought. Is it based on facts or assumptions?

• Alternative perspectives: Consider how someone else might view the situation. What would you tell a friend in a similar situation?

• Decatastrophizing: Ask yourself, "What's the worst that could happen? How likely is that? What could I do if it did happen?"

• Positive self-talk: Develop a set of supportive, realistic statements to counter negative thoughts. For example, "This is challenging, but I have coping skills to handle it."

Address Your Functional Freeze Response with Access Therapy

While self-help strategies can be incredibly valuable, professional support can provide targeted, personalized help for managing functional freeze. Therapy at Access Therapy can offer a safe space to explore the root causes of your freeze response and develop effective coping strategies.

If functional freeze is significantly impacting your life, don't hesitate to seek professional help. Schedule a free consultation to find a therapist who truly understands you!