The 5 Stress Responses of the Autonomic Nervous System

There are commonly 4 main stress responses linked to chronic trauma exposure: fight, flight, freeze & fawn. I think it’s also worth bearing in mind a fifth - flop.

Individuals with PTSD/cPTSD, chronic stress, chronic illness and trauma often develop heightened reactivity to potential threats, which leads to physical changes in the brain’s amygdala and nervous system. Some experience heightened alertness and agitation, while others may undergo “freeze” reactions with decreased brain activity.

There are commonly 4 main stress responses linked to chronic trauma exposure: fight, flight, freeze & fawn. I think it’s also worth bearing in mind a fifth - flop.

Individuals with PTSD/cPTSD, chronic stress, chronic illness and trauma often develop heightened reactivity to potential threats, which leads to physical changes in the brain’s amygdala and nervous system. Some experience heightened alertness and agitation, while others may undergo “freeze” reactions with decreased brain activity.

Viewing things though a TCM lens, a stress response can indicate the presence of internal disharmony - whether its excess, deficiency, or stagnation. The specific type of response will help your practitioner determine which organ systems are affected e.g. Lungs, Heart, Spleen, Stomach, Kidneys, etc.

Just as trauma can lead to internal disharmony and corresponding stress responses, specific emotional behaviours can exacerbate internal disharmonies. It’s a vicious and challenging cycle to break from, and requires patience, persistence, and consistency.