Anxiety Quote by Nell Scovell
“When threatened, the nervous system sometimes goes into a 'freeze response.' You assess the risk and determine that fight or flight doesn't help you. Staying put does.”
About This Quote
Source Article: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, 2014
When danger feels unavoidable, the body may halt movement to conserve energy and evaluate options, rather than fighting or fleeing.
In simple terms: Freezing is a survival tactic when other responses fail.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and use the freeze as a moment to assess safety.
Themes
psychology
survival
stress response
Mood
anxious
calm
reflective
Type
advice
educational
psychological
When to use this quote
- dangerous encounters
- high stress work
- public speaking
- trauma therapy
Key Concepts
neuroscience
adaptive behavior
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you tell when freezing is protecting you versus hindering you?
- What strategies help transition from freeze to action?
A Different Perspective
Freezing can lead to missed opportunities if overused.
