Freeze / Episode 4 Show Notes
Updated: Mar 28, 2020
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
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
Peter Levine on Shame