Functional freeze response

“Functional freeze” is a defensive survival response often associated with feelings of panic. Symptoms of functional freeze include feeling numb, in a fog, tired, or withdrawn.

Have you been in situations where looking back you should have felt intense fear but instead felt nothing? Did you minimize or deny rather than assess the circumstance accurately?

Ever felt frozen over simple tasks, like replying to a text or washing dishes? 😣 You’re not alone—this is called functional freeze, a response to feeling overwhelmed. It’s a survival mechanism our brains use to cope with stress, even in the face of everyday tasks. With small steps, awareness, and self-compassion, you can break free from the cycle. 🌱 Take it one step at a time—you’ve got this! 💪 #FunctionalFreeze #HeadFirstHealth #ChicagoTherapist #ChicagoCounselor

Your nervous system can become stuck in a functional freeze state after living with chronic stress or stored trauma for months, years, and even decades. Here are some common signs and symptoms of being stuck in functional freeze.

Have trouble taking action when you’re stressed? Here’s what you need to know about the “freeze” response, including 5 tips for moving through it

And how to unfreeze yourself.

Here are three transformative practices to break free from the cycle of negative inertia and reclaim control over your life.