Understanding Trauma Responses: Why Your Brain and Body React the Way They Do

When something overwhelming or frightening happens, your mind and body don’t wait around — they go into survival mode. These instinctive responses are protective. But sometimes, once danger has passed, those responses stay switched on, or get activated inappropriately. That can feel exhausting.

Trauma responses — fight, flight, freeze, and fawn — are deeply rooted in our survival mechanisms.

At Syné Collective, our team of Trauma-informed therapists are dedicated to helping you understand the intricate ways your body and mind respond to overwhelming experiences, whether working through trauma specifically, or simply recognising patterns in your day-to-day life.

A fawn stands poised at the forest's edge, embodying a delicate balance between vigilance and vulnerability, a poignant metaphor for the trauma response.

What are Trauma Responses?

When faced with a threat, our bodies instinctively activate one of four primary trauma responses:

• Fight: Confronting the threat aggressively.

• Flight: Escaping the danger.

• Freeze: Becoming immobilized or dissociated.

• Fawn: People-pleasing to avoid conflict.

These responses are automatic and are part of the body's autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions like heart rate and respiration. Understanding these reactions can help us recognise and manage them in everyday life (Simply Psychology).

The Science Behind Trauma Responses

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates bodily functions without conscious effort. It has two key branches:

• Sympathetic Nervous System: Prepares the body for "fight or flight" responses.

• Parasympathetic Nervous System: Promotes "rest and digest" functions.

Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, expands on this by introducing the concept of the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in regulating stress responses. According to this theory, our bodies have evolved to detect safety and danger through physiological cues, influencing our behaviour and emotional responses.

Two bison fiercely lock horns in a dusty battle, embodying the 'fight' response in a primal struggle for territory and safety.

Why Trauma Responses Persist

Trauma doesn't just affect our minds; it alters our nervous system's functioning. Experiences of trauma can lead to dysregulation, where the body remains in a heightened state of alertness, even in safe environments. This persistent state can manifest as anxiety, hypervigilance, or emotional numbness.

Recognising Your Trauma Response

Understanding your primary trauma response can empower you to manage it effectively. Here's how each response might manifest:

• Fight: Anger, irritability, or aggression.

• Flight: Restlessness, anxiety, or avoidance behaviors.

• Freeze: Numbness, dissociation, or feeling stuck.

• Fawn: People-pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, or suppressing personal needs.

Recognising these patterns is the first step toward healing. Therapeutic approaches can help individuals process and integrate these responses, leading to healthier coping mechanisms. The team at Syné Collective can help you navigate and explore this, and work with you to develop tangible and effective strategies to ensure you feel safe and in-control.

Two sea birds engage in an aerial tussle, locked in combat above the ocean waves.

Start Your Healing Journey Today

Healing from trauma involves understanding and re-regulating the nervous system. Therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness practices can be effective in helping individuals process traumatic experiences and develop healthier coping strategies.

At Syné Collective, we offer trauma-informed therapy tailored to your unique needs. Our therapists work with you to explore your responses, understand their origins, and develop strategies for healing and resilience. If you are looking for a warm, safe and discreet environment to process your experience, we would be honoured to be part of your journey.

Consider booking a session with us today, or give us a call on 0468 008 068 for a free 15 minute consultation to decide if we are the right fit for you.