¿Qué es una respuesta al trauma?

The affects of trauma are multifaceted, but help is available

Understanding Trauma Responses and Finding the Right Support

Trauma can be a life-altering occurrence. As much as anyone hopes to avoid it, there's no way to control if or when it happens. Whether stemming from a single devastating event or repeated exposure to distressing circumstances, trauma leaves an imprint on both the mind and body that can persist long after the immediate danger has passed.

When a traumatic event does occur, your body goes through something called a trauma response. In its simplest form, it's a means for self-preservation and survival. These responses are hardwired into our nervous system, operating below the level of conscious thought. Understanding these automatic reactions is the first step toward healing and finding appropriate trauma treatment.

Respuestas comunes al trauma

Fight or flight are the two most commonly acknowledged trauma responses. Over the recent years, a couple more have been added to that list. Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn are all short-lived survival mechanisms designed to get you through a stressful situation. Each response serves a protective function, though they may not always feel helpful in the moment or in the aftermath of trauma.

La respuesta de lucha

When faced with a threat, your body prepares to fight without even thinking. Fight, for this purpose, isn't necessarily literal; it could simply mean facing the situation head-on. In some instances, it may mean a physical fight, though.

If you're involved in a robbery or a physical attack, your first instinct may be to fight back. On the other hand, you may encounter someone who says something insulting, and rather than walk away, you fire your own comment back. This response can also manifest as irritability, anger, or aggressive behavior in daily life, particularly when triggered by reminders of past trauma.

When your brain becomes triggered by the perception of a threat, hormones are released. Resources in your body are rerouted away from non-essential organs and allocated to essential processes needed for the fight. Your heart rate increases, muscles tense, and your pupils dilate to help you focus on the immediate threat. A trauma therapist can help you understand when this response is being activated inappropriately in safe situations.

La respuesta de huida

For the flight response, your brain perceives a threat and prepares your body to flee. Similar to the fight response, this can be literal or figurative. Your body floods with adrenaline and cortisol, giving you the energy needed to escape danger quickly.

In the above instance of an attacker, your automatic response is to run and hide. Hormones are released, and your body is prepared to do what it needs to do to exit the situation. This is an evolutionarily adaptive response that has helped humans survive countless dangers throughout history.

Figuratively speaking, flight can be emotional and manifest in avoidant behavior. Maybe you ignore the commentary or choose not to address the situation at all, regardless of how much it may bother you. In trauma survivors, this can lead to avoiding places, people, or situations that remind them of their traumatic experience. Trauma informed therapy can help you recognize these avoidance patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

La respuesta de Freeze

Unlike either of the above responses, a freeze response involves your body shutting down. Your brain becomes so overwhelmed by the stress or trauma that it causes functioning to cease immediately. You might feel paralyzed, unable to move or speak, as if time has stopped.

This response is more likely to occur if the triggering event is unexpected and high on the severity scale. Your amygdala misfires momentarily, and essential body processes skip a beat. Usually, the freeze response doesn't last for too long, though it can feel like an eternity when you're experiencing it.

Many people who have experienced this response report feeling ashamed or confused about why they "didn't do anything" during a traumatic event. Working with a trauma specialist can help you understand that freezing is a legitimate survival response, not a personal failing. This is particularly important in cases involving assault or abuse, where victims often blame themselves for not fighting back or escaping.

La respuesta de Fawn

A fawn response is a strategy in which you attempt to please or appease the stimulus to maintain a level of safety. This is a more common response when you struggle with asserting yourself, exhibit people-pleasing behaviors, or have difficulty setting boundaries. The fawn response often develops as a survival mechanism in situations where fighting, fleeing, or freezing aren't viable options.

An example of a fawn response is being in a relationship with an abusive partner. In order to stay out of harm's way, you're more inclined to do certain actions to appease that partner. You might anticipate their needs, suppress your own feelings, or constantly adjust your behavior to avoid conflict. This response is frequently seen in individuals seeking childhood trauma counseling, as it often originates from early experiences with caregivers who were unpredictable or threatening.

You may feel shock, embarrassment, devastation, or even hopelessness after trauma. Recovery is possible.

La respuesta de huida

For the flight response, your brain perceives a threat and prepares your body to flee. Similar to the fight response, this can be literal or figurative. Your body floods with adrenaline and cortisol, giving you the energy needed to escape danger quickly.

In the above instance of an attacker, your automatic response is to run and hide. Hormones are released, and your body is prepared to do what it needs to do to exit the situation. This is an evolutionarily adaptive response that has helped humans survive countless dangers throughout history.

Figuratively speaking, flight can be emotional and manifest in avoidant behavior. Maybe you ignore the commentary or choose not to address the situation at all, regardless of how much it may bother you. In trauma survivors, this can lead to avoiding places, people, or situations that remind them of their traumatic experience. Trauma informed therapy can help you recognize these avoidance patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

La respuesta de Freeze

Unlike either of the above responses, a freeze response involves your body shutting down. Your brain becomes so overwhelmed by the stress or trauma that it causes functioning to cease immediately. You might feel paralyzed, unable to move or speak, as if time has stopped.

This response is more likely to occur if the triggering event is unexpected and high on the severity scale. Your amygdala misfires momentarily, and essential body processes skip a beat. Usually, the freeze response doesn't last for too long, though it can feel like an eternity when you're experiencing it.

Many people who have experienced this response report feeling ashamed or confused about why they "didn't do anything" during a traumatic event. Working with a trauma specialist can help you understand that freezing is a legitimate survival response, not a personal failing. This is particularly important in cases involving assault or abuse, where victims often blame themselves for not fighting back or escaping.

La respuesta de Fawn

A fawn response is a strategy in which you attempt to please or appease the stimulus to maintain a level of safety. This is a more common response when you struggle with asserting yourself, exhibit people-pleasing behaviors, or have difficulty setting boundaries. The fawn response often develops as a survival mechanism in situations where fighting, fleeing, or freezing aren't viable options.

An example of a fawn response is being in a relationship with an abusive partner. In order to stay out of harm's way, you're more inclined to do certain actions to appease that partner. You might anticipate their needs, suppress your own feelings, or constantly adjust your behavior to avoid conflict. This response is frequently seen in individuals seeking childhood trauma counseling, as it often originates from early experiences with caregivers who were unpredictable or threatening.

Respuestas adicionales al trauma

Aside from the four main responses, a few more are lesser known but differ slightly from the others. These responses represent the complex ways our nervous system attempts to protect us from overwhelming experiences.

La multa, la bandera y las respuestas débiles

A fine response is the denial of an event that's happening or a triggering situation. You try to protect yourself from harm by avoiding any acknowledgment that something bad is happening. People experiencing this response often minimize their experiences, telling themselves and others "I'm fine" even when they're clearly struggling. A trauma informed therapist can help you recognize when you're employing this defense mechanism and guide you toward healthier ways of processing difficult emotions.

A flag response is similar to the sentiment of waving the white flag. When faced with a traumatic situation, your mind and body go numb, your cognitive processes decline, and you give in to whatever is happening. This differs from the freeze response in that it involves a conscious or semi-conscious surrender rather than complete paralysis. This response is sometimes called "tonic immobility" and can be deeply distressing for those who experience it.

A faint response, or vasovagal response, is when you pass out in response to an event. Your heart rate briefly drops, and you faint. This physical response can occur when witnessing violence, experiencing severe pain, or encountering other overwhelming stimuli. While it might seem like a purely physical reaction, it's actually your nervous system's attempt to escape an unbearable situation by shutting down consciousness.

Understanding PTSD and Long-Term Effects

While trauma responses are immediate and automatic, some individuals develop longer-lasting symptoms that interfere with daily functioning. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, occurs when the effects of trauma persist long after the danger has passed. Symptoms may include intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, and continued activation of trauma responses in safe situations.

PTSD counseling focuses on helping individuals process traumatic memories and reduce symptoms that impact quality of life. A ptsd therapist uses evidence-based approaches to help you regain a sense of safety and control. Many people don't realize they need ptsd treatment because they assume their symptoms are just part of who they are now, but recovery is absolutely possible with the right support.

Childhood trauma therapy addresses experiences that occurred during developmental years, which can have profound effects on how we relate to ourselves and others as adults. A trauma counselor who specializes in childhood experiences understands how early trauma shapes attachment patterns, self-esteem, and emotional regulation. Childhood trauma counseling often involves not just processing past events, but also learning skills that weren't developed due to adverse experiences.

Finding Healing Through Professional Support

There is no right or wrong way to respond to trauma because each situation has its own circumstances. In that moment, you do what your body needs to survive. Your trauma response isn't something to be ashamed of—it's evidence of your nervous system doing exactly what it was designed to do.

Unfortunately, each response has potential drawbacks and should be addressed with professional support. Trauma in itself should be addressed professionally to ensure proper healing. Without intervention, unresolved trauma can affect relationships, career, physical health, and overall quality of life. The good news is that trauma informed counseling offers effective pathways to recovery.

When seeking trauma treatment, it's important to find a qualified trauma counselor who creates a safe, non-judgmental environment. A ptsd counselor will work with you at your own pace, never pushing you beyond what feels manageable. Evidence-based approaches like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy have strong research support for treating trauma and PTSD.

Trauma counseling isn't about erasing what happened—it's about changing your relationship with those memories so they no longer control your present. Through ptsd therapy, you can learn to calm your nervous system, process difficult emotions, and reclaim your sense of safety in the world. Many people find that working with a trauma informed therapist helps them not only heal from past wounds but also develop greater resilience and self-understanding.

If you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic event, help is available. You don't have to continue carrying the burden of trauma alone. Contact us to schedule an appointment to learn more about how our trauma specialists can support your healing journey.

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