What is the Flight Trauma Response?

Summary

The website content explains the Flight Trauma Response, a behavior where individuals seek to avoid discomfort by fleeing or isolating themselves, and outlines methods for healing from this trauma.

Abstract

The article titled "What is the Flight Trauma Response?" delves into one of the four safety mechanisms that arise from traumatic experiences, focusing on the Flight Trauma Response. It describes how individuals with this response tend to escape situations that evoke uncomfortable emotions, often leading to self-isolation or constant busyness. The text identifies several signs of this response, including a compulsion to stay occupied, discomfort with stillness, micromanaging, abruptly ending relationships, and resorting to substances or activities to avoid fear and anxiety. The author suggests that healing can be achieved through acceptance of emotions, physical movement to release built-up tension, breathwork, self-reflection, and connecting with one's inner child. The article emphasizes that while the flight response may provide a sense of safety, it can result in negative patterns that persist into adulthood, which can be addressed and healed through conscious effort and self-care strategies.

Opinions

The author believes that resisting uncomfortable feelings intensifies suffering and that it is crucial to embrace these emotions as they occur.
Movement is posited as a key element in healing from the Flight Trauma Response, suggesting that physical activity can help dissipate the energy associated with this response.
The article conveys that self-care practices like breathwork and writing to one's inner child are beneficial for overcoming the flight response.
It is the author's opinion that acknowledging and working through the flight response can lead to a healthier lifestyle and personal growth.
The author encourages readers to seek support and guidance, whether through community engagement in the comment section or by finding a therapist.

How to stop avoidant behavior

There are four different types of safety mechanisms that emerge from our responses to trauma. Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn. In this article, I will be going over the Flight Trauma Response.

Flight Trauma Response Explained

The flight response is where a person wants to avoid uncomfortable feelings/emotions by fleeing the situation. In some cases, the individual isolates themselves completely or keeps preoccupied to avoid interaction with others in order to feel safe.

Signs of Flight Trauma Response

Need to stay busy all the time/always going

Feels uncomfortable when still

Micromanaging others

Abruptly ending relationships

Creating multiple plans to escape

Using alcohol, drugs, and work/hobbies to repel fear, anxiety, and conflict

Healing the Flight Trauma Response

Suffering comes from trying to resist these uncomfortable feelings as they arise. It’s important to feel everything for what it is in the moment.

One of the main ways to heal this trauma is movement. Spend time each day finding an outlet for all the built-up energy from this response. *Shake out built-up tension to help loosen up and let go.

Breathwork, turning down plans to be with yourself/making time for yourself, and writing a letter to your inner child are also great ways to heal.

The flight response may feel safe, but it creates negative patterns that are carried into adulthood. Those patterns can be healed through effective strategies that produce a healthy lifestyle and loving person.

Being conscious of what’s happening within your body during a trigger will help you stay grounded and in control. By staying conscious, you are giving yourself the love and attention that you deserve.

I’m leaving my comment section open to those who may need some guidance, love, or direction to a great therapist! ❤