Fight, Flight, or Freeze - The Stress Response

Fight, Flight, or Freeze is an automatic response to stress. When a person is triggered by a real or perceived threat, it activates the amygdala which is the part of the brain that is responsible for fear. In response to being activated, the amygdala then sends a signal to the hypothalamus to stimulate the ANS, or autonomic nervous system. This results in the release of the stress hormones (Cortisol & Adrenaline).

Fight- Your body is ready to take action against the threat

Flight- Your body is preparing itself to escape from the threat

Freeze- Your body shuts down/is unaware of what to do to protect itself from the threat resulting in you becoming immobilized.

A good example of how Fight, Flight, and Freeze looks in children can be found via WholeHearted School Counseling. I have posted the image below.

As parents, it is our job to do everything we can to help our children learn how to process and cope with stress.