Freeze / Episode 4 Show Notes

UPDATE: My understanding of "freeze" and "shutdown" has shifted since recording this episode. After I spoke with Dr Stephen Porges, he explained that these are two distinct things. I recommend reading this blog post about the difference and also listening to this episode as well.

FREEZE

(Parasympathetic, early vertebrates)

BIOLOGY OF FREEZE

A state we enter when we can’t run away or fight or size differential is too great

• Freeze, collapse, dissociate, immobilize, “playing dead,”

• Massive drop in blood pressure and heart rate

• Reduced blood flow to the brain = dissociation

• Apnea - temporary cessation of breathing

• Sleep apnea is a serious reduction in breathing

• Inhibiting movement means less need for food due to decreased metabolism

• Pain threshold is raised

• System is located below the heart and diaphragm

ANIMALS IN FREEZE

Odd posture, emitting foul-smelling odor from anal glands, stick out their tongue

• Disgusts the predator because dead prey are a cue of danger. Maybe evolved to avoid a corpse which could carry bacteria or something

• Sacrificing neighbors by playing dead - Predator will chase and ignore a corpse

• Also "freeze" by carrying young by neck or laying a trap to catch prey

• Animals come out of this state in a short manner of time, will look for cues of safety

HUMANS IN FREEZE

When we can’t use socialization to avoid danger, we can’t run or fight

• A state we go into as a last resort

• Physically overpowered: sexual abuse, physical abuse, kidnapped, hostage

• Emotional abuse as well

• Can’t avoid, can’t fight back, eventually give up, numb to the situation

DAILY EXPERIENCE OF FREEZE

• Numb, Hopeless, Abandoned / Lonely, Foggy, Tired

• Cold due to poor blood circulation, Pressure on chest

• Avoiding eye contact: hiding vs looking for danger in sympathetic

• Shame & Self-blame

• Lowered executive functioning

• Disoriented

COMING OUT OF FREEZE

Humans do not have an efficient pathway to get out of freeze

• Wild animals literally shake off the sympathetic energy and return to their herd

Getting out of this state requires a gentle return of energy

• Through small actions like walking

• Safe & Social cues like eye contact and smiles

• Calm, quiet

Moving into flight/fight can trigger a sense of Danger, bringing the individual back into Freeze

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE

• Website - https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ 

• Phone Number - 1(800)273-8255

• Chat - https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/

• Twitter - https://twitter.com/800273TALK ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

CRISIS TEXT LINE

• Website - https://www.crisistextline.org/

• Text HOME to 741741

TED video on the freeze response in wild animals

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=_hBAr7uJ6L8

Peter Levine on Shame

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2CN5nhmfxk&vl=en