Tag: Freeze response

When faced with extreme cold or an overwhelming threat, the human body's defense mechanisms can trigger a state of shutdown. This physical condition is known as hypothermia, while a psychological reaction is the 'freeze response,' providing a two-part answer to the question: What is it called when your body starts to freeze?

The feeling of your body shutting down can be a manifestation of the freeze response, a primal survival mechanism designed to protect you from perceived threat. Discover the reasons behind what does it mean when your body feels like it's shutting down and how to address it effectively.

According to the Polyvagal Theory, the nervous system has a built-in survival response that can cause the body to 'freeze' or 'shut down' when overwhelmed by extreme stress or danger. This reaction, often referred to as dorsal vagal shutdown or hypoarousal, is a protective mechanism that reduces metabolic activity to conserve energy.