Understanding the Freeze Response and Dorsal Vagal Shutdown
by Counseling and Wellness Center of PittsburghNovember 22, 2024 collapse, deb dana, disassociate, disassociation, dorsal vagal shutdown, freeze, freeze response, functional freeze, nervous system, nervous system regulation, peter levine, polyvagal ladder, polyvagal theory, shutdown, somatic therapy, Stephen Porges, stress responses, sympathetic nervous system, trauma responses0 comments
Understanding the Freeze Response and Dorsal Vagal Shutdown
Have you ever felt frozen in the face of stress—unable to act or make a decision? This experience, often described as “freezing,” is a common yet misunderstood survival response. While many people refer to all forms of immobility as “freeze,” there are important distinctions within...Learn MoreUnderstanding the Freeze Response During Social “Threats”
by Counseling and Wellness Center of PittsburghApril 12, 2023 fight flight freeze, flight or fight, freeze response, nervous system, nervous system regulation, Parasympathetic nervous system, stress, stress responses, sympathetic nervous system0 comments
In our last blog, Stress Responses: What Are They, How Do They Work, and Why I am so Confused!?, you survived a vicious bear attack and learned how the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in when other responses fail. We explored different stages of the freeze response, and how to recognize them. You also learned some pretty cool new words, like neuroception and ventral vagal,...Learn MoreStress Responses: What Are They, How Do They Work, and Why I am so Confused!?
by Counseling and Wellness Center of PittsburghMarch 29, 2023 fight flight freeze, flight or fight, freeze response, nervous system, nervous system regulation, stress responses, trauma0 comments
The stress responses conversation has been ramping up on social media as we move closer to becoming a more emotionally intelligent and trauma-informed society. But what are stress responses, how do they work, how can I recognize if I am in one; and is it me, or do they keep changing? These are all valid questions that we will try to break down in this blog series.
By now, most of...Learn More