Trauma-Induced Paralysis Could Be Why You’re Freezing Up

Trauma-induced paralysis, or tonic immobility, is a lesser-known trauma response. Read on to learn what causes it and how to heal.

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Everyone has their own way of reacting to traumatic situations. Some of the most common trauma responses include fight, flight, and freeze, but a lesser-known trauma response can be trauma-induced paralysis. “Trauma-induced paralysis, also known as tonic immobility, is a state of temporary immobility and muscle rigidity that can occur in response to a traumatic event,” explains Tracye Freeman Valentine, LPC, a Charlie Health Clinical Supervisor. 

“Tonic immobility is believed to be a response to situations involving extreme fear, resulting in a disruption in communication between the brain and muscles, leading to an involuntary loss of motor functions,” she adds. Read on to learn more about what causes trauma-induced paralysis and how to cope with this trauma response. 

What exactly is trauma-induced paralysis?

When a person feels threatened, their body looks for ways to protect itself. This process begins with the amygdala, which is the part of the brain associated with fear and emotions. When the amygdala detects a threat, it sends a message to another part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which triggers a trauma response. One such response can be trauma-induced paralysis, defined as a “state of motor arrest during threat.” 

In simpler terms, this means that a person is unable to intentionally move or speak when they encounter something they perceive as dangerous. When you’re in this state, you may experience trembling, dissociation, and an inability to feel pain. “Trauma can disrupt neural responses, leading to a loss of motor functions and the ability to voluntarily control muscles,” adds Freeman Valentine.

According to some research, trauma-induced paralysis is part of a defense cascade that includes five different defense reactions:

1. Arousal is when a person learns of a threat
2. Flight or fight is an active response to that threat
3. Freezing is when you delay your response 
4. Tonic immobility and collapsed immobility are last-resort responses when the threat feels inescapable
5. Quiescent immobility involves rest and healing

What kind of trauma causes paralysis?

A traumatic event is any experience that causes physical, emotional, or psychological harm. Some of the most common causes of trauma include abuse, neglect, violence, and grief.

Research suggests that trauma-induced paralysis is often associated with sexual trauma, such as experiences of sexual assault, rape, sexual abuse, or harassment. One study found that 70% of sexual assault survivors reported experiencing trauma-induced paralysis during their assault. What’s more, many survivors developed post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe depression within six months of the event. 

Trauma-induced paralysis is also associated with accidents, emotional abuse during childhood, and sexual violence, as well as war-related trauma such as air and naval disasters.

How does trauma impact your life?

It’s normal to experience a range of thoughts and feelings following a traumatic experience. Many people feel sad and anxious and have trouble sleeping and focusing. You may experience flashbacks of the traumatic memory, avoid people or places that remind you of the event or become isolated from friends and family. These symptoms can lessen over time, but if they continue, you may be diagnosed with PTSD. Some research has even found a link between trauma-induced paralysis and the severity of PTSD symptoms.

Unmanaged trauma is also associated with conditions like anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, dissociative disorders, and sleep disorders. Plus, people who experience tonic immobility often experience shame and self-blame, which can lead to low self-esteem without the right resources and support. 

How to treat trauma-induced paralysis

If you’ve experienced tonic immobility or are struggling with other symptoms of trauma, consider seeking mental health support. “Therapy can help manage trauma-induced paralysis,” says Freeman Valentine. “It is essential to first see a medical doctor to rule out other conditions that may mimic tonic immobility. A licensed psychiatric provider will assess and diagnose trauma based on criteria from the DSM-5-TR, adverse childhood experiences, history of abuse, assault, and other traumatic events,” she explains.  

Treatment typically focuses on education, symptom reduction, and processing trauma responses. There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for trauma, but some of the leading treatment options for managing emotional distress and other symptoms include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Prolonged exposure (PE)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
• Accelerated resolution therapy (ART)

In addition to therapy, here are five ways to help cope with trauma and develop the resilience needed to move forward with a fulfilling life. 

1. Build and maintain close connections with people you trust so you don’t have to manage your struggles alone.
2. Find your sense of purpose, such as volunteering or offering support to others who are in need of a good friend. 
3. Practice mindfulness so that you can learn to observe your thoughts and feelings in a gentle and non-judgemental way.
4. Engage in self-care habits such as mental health journaling, spending time outside, reciting positive affirmations, and hobbies that bring you joy. 
5. Take care of your physical health by eating a balanced diet, getting quality sleep, limiting substance use, and making time for regular exercise.

Treat trauma with Charlie Health

If you or a loved one have experienced a traumatic event or need support coping with a traumatic memory, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides mental health treatment for people dealing with serious mental health conditions, including trauma-related conditions. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With this kind of holistic online therapy, managing your mental health is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.