Survival: Freeze/ Collapse Mode

When we are in danger and we realise that fighting or running away is no use, our body goes into freeze/ collapse mode.

Our body is trying to make us 'disappear' so that the danger goes away. Our body also changes so that pain hurts less.

Sometimes our brains get stuck in this mode, and we go into freeze/ collapse even when danger is not there.

When you are in this mode, you may:

• Feel alone

• Feel disconnected

• See everything

• Feel in a fog

• Have a dry mouth

• Change your breathing

• Feel dread

• Feel empty

• Feel cold

• Go pale

• Feel numb

• Feel trapped/ sick

Source: beaconhouse.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/What-Are-You-Feeling-Freeze-Collapse.pdf