What is the Difference Between a Stress and Trauma Response?
During your nervous system healing journey you will learn about two nervous system responses that we all experience: The stress response and the trauma response. One of the most important parts of healing your nervous system is being able to recognize your own patterns. Part of this is being able to distinguish which nervous system state that you are in so that you can self-regulate. In order to understand which state you are in, you will need to know the difference between these states. So, let’s talk about it.
The Stress Response
The Stress Response is your fight or flight mode. It occurs when your nervous system perceives that you need to defend yourself through fighting or fleeing a potentially dangerous situation.
This nervous system state came in handy when our ancient ancestors found themselves in dangerous situations more often than we do in the modern world. Our ancestor’s lives depended on this instinct as they were not protected by alarm systems, locks, or other modern luxuries and had to hunt large game to feed themselves and their families. Fight or flight mode was very necessary for their survival; however, over time, we have developed less of a need for it.
Your stress response–fight or flight–will feel actionable–like you need to run away or fight to keep yourself alive. And you’re ready to do just that. It is possible for your stress response to shift into a trauma response; however.
The Trauma Response
The key moment you shift into a trauma response occurs the minute your system perceives that moving towards safety is not possible. You feel helpless. Perhaps you are physically blocked from it or maybe it simply feels that way, but either way, you’ve now officially entered the survival zone. This survival zone will sometimes be referred to as your Freeze Response.
The reason that this state may sometimes be referred to as the Freeze Response is because oftentimes, when someone enters this state, they feel like they are unable to take action. If you feel like a deer in the headlights or paralyzed with fear, you may be experiencing a trauma response.
How Can I Come Out of a Stress or Trauma Response and Heal?
Although it is normal to view both of these responses as something negative that needs to be fixed, that isn’t the case. These responses are totally normal and even necessary. We need stress responses especially in order to activate and mobilize when we are in dangerous situations. However, it is when we find that we are constantly in these states that it becomes a problem.
With that being said, I recommend that you start by tracking your own patterns. Now that you know the difference between these two states, how often are you in each? Keep up with times that you feel that you are regulated and calm, times that you feel you are experiencing a stress response, as well as times that you feel your stress response has shifted into a trauma response. It is valuable to keep track of these shifts in a detailed journal so that you can uncover your patterns and triggers.
You can also keep a list of things that help you regulate. When you’re experiencing a stress or trauma response, what helps calm you down? What do you do that makes you feel most at peace? Whether it’s taking a walk through nature, sitting down to listen to or make music, making art, or cooking a meal–come up with a list of these things and keep them in your back pocket. That way, when you begin to experience a stress or trauma response, you have tools that will help you self-regulate.
Once you have uncovered your patterns and triggers you can really start focusing on healing your nervous system and fully exiting your dysregulated pattern. In order to shift out of this pattern, your nervous system must regain a sense of safety to be able to process the stress of that experience. It also may require supporting your energy production in order to mobilize you towards action again. This takes time & patience and may require guidance through it in order to prevent getting completely overwhelmed. Somatic therapies + holistic health support are my preferred method of treatment. If you’d like to work with me as your guide, I’d love to support you in The Nervous System Reset. Doors are officially open. If you would like to learn more about the nervous system reset, take a look at my sales page.
I can’t wait to help you on your healing journey. If you would like to keep in touch or learn more about nervous system regulation and healing from trauma, be sure to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest. And don’t forget to check out the blog–I have a ton of great resources for how to heal already up and ready for you to read.
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