Freeze Response Behaviors That Can Lead to Toxicity in Relationships

We all want to communicate our needs in relationships but, sometimes, it’s easier said than done. That’s because the freeze response can rear its ugly head, keeping us from asserting our needs. Here are the five ways the freeze response can manifest:

Procrastination: The freeze response might cause you to delay making any move to express your needs, thus leaving them unmet.

Avoidance: It’s easier for some to shy away from any confrontation or uncomfortable feelings that arise when speaking up for yourself.

Numbing: You may seek out activities to occupy your time and make yourself ‘unavailable’ to think about and communicate your needs.

Overthinking: The freeze response might cause you to worry so much about how you should say something, when to say something, and how to make your point, that nothing gets said.

Self doubt: You may second guess yourself or not feel sure enough about your own needs and boundaries.

Recognizing these symptoms of the freeze response interfering with your communication in relationships is so important. Once you can acknowledge your habitual freeze responses, you can learn to navigate conversation with your partner.

I will be teaching you actionable skills to implement a healthier communication response into all relationships in your life in my upcoming workshop, Navigating Relationships: Understanding Communication Patterns through the Lens of the Nervous System on February 26 11am - 12pm PST. CLICK HERE to sign up and attend the event free of charge.

If you’re unable to join live, a recording will be sent to you after the event.