In psychology, "mood freezing" refers to either a specific experimental technique from a 1984 study where people were led to believe their negative moods were fixed, leading to better coping, OR a broader term for the trauma-related "freeze response," where the body shuts down (numbness, paralysis) when overwhelmed by stress or danger, similar to "fight or flight" but resulting in feeling stuck or detached. It's an involuntary survival mechanism, often linked to trauma, that can cause difficulty in functioning.
In short, it can be described like this: When people are angry, they believe venting their frustration will help them to feel better. However, when they believe they can't get riled up (because their mood has been frozen), they tend to find more effective techniques to let go of their anger.
To start moving out of this frozen state, try focusing on your body. Often, functional freeze happens because the nervous system is overwhelmed, so grounding yourself can help. Simple things like taking deep, calming breaths, moving your body with gentle stretches, or even going for a walk can make a big difference.
Many times, we see freeze in response to childhood trauma. As a child, she would seek comfort and closeness from an attachment figure, like her mother. But the physical abuse she experienced at the hand of her mother would also trigger a fight or flight defensive response in her.
Common symptoms of functional freeze include:
Five key signs your brain might be in trouble include significant memory loss (forgetting important things or familiar routines), difficulty with everyday tasks, confusion about time/place, problems with language/communication, and noticeable personality or mood changes, such as increased irritability or loss of interest in hobbies, which signal potential cognitive decline or neurological issues.
There are several root causes of a functional freeze, including, but not limited to:
Signs of childhood trauma
Feeling cold is one of the most common signs of anxiety. Cold hands, feet, and teeth, feeling stiff, or having a shivery sensation throughout the body are all signs that your anxiety might be getting the best of you.
The 'fight or flight' response is how people sometimes refer to our body's automatic reactions to fear. There are actually 5 of these common responses, including 'freeze', 'flop' and 'friend', as well as 'fight' or 'flight'.
Shame is among the most challenging emotions to face, impacting people's self-perception and their ability to connect with others. Shame quietly erodes self-worth, whispering doubts about personal value and pushing people into isolation.
Healing Freeze Trauma Response
Signs and Symptoms
Relaxation exercises: Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery can help calm your nervous system, reduce physical symptoms of freeze mode, help you feel more relaxed and reduce your anxiety and stress response.
It won't rid you of PTSD and your fears, but let your tears flow and you'll maybe feel a little better afterwards. 'Crying for long periods of time releases oxytocin and endogenous opioids, otherwise known as endorphins. These feel-good chemicals can help ease both physical and emotional pain.
Five common warning signs of anxiety include excessive worry or feeling on edge, physical symptoms like a racing heart or shortness of breath, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, and irritability or restlessness, often accompanied by an urge to avoid anxiety triggers. These signs can impact daily functioning, leading to fatigue, stomach issues, or trouble relaxing.
To reduce anxiety immediately, use deep breathing (like the 4-7-8 method), ground yourself by focusing on your senses or 5-4-3-2-1 technique, try progressive muscle relaxation (tense and release muscles), engage in quick physical activity, or distract yourself with a short, enjoyable task or by shifting focus to another language. These techniques calm the nervous system and shift your focus from anxious thoughts to the present moment.
Feeling nervous, restless or tense. Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom. Having an increased heart rate. Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation).
The "8 childhood traumas" often refer to common Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) from the CDC, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, household substance abuse, a household member with mental illness, and parental separation/divorce, though these can be expanded to include things like violence, discrimination, or sudden loss, which profoundly impact a child's development and well-being. These experiences, especially repeated ones (complex trauma), disrupt a child's sense of safety, leading to issues with trust, emotional regulation, and relationships, often manifesting as anxiety, depression, or attachment problems in adulthood.
The 10 ACEs of childhood trauma are:
Signs of repressed childhood trauma vary by person but commonly include:
Symptoms of stress
Anyone can experience functional freeze, but certain patterns increase the risk. “People who tend to be high-achieving, perfectionistic, or overly responsible are especially prone to functional freeze,” Tovar says, “These individuals often ignore their own needs and override signs of stress or overwhelm.”