Last week we looked at when anxiety is at
its worst, how it can immobilise us, and how the freeze response takes over how
we feel and often negatively impacts our nervous system as well. We used the
analogy of the rabbit, which is one of the best creatures we know to use the freeze
response to stay alive, and how we can’t just shake the rabbit awake. At this
point, their nervous system is shut down and is far too afraid to do anything
for the fear of dying. You might think that last statement is a bit dramatic,
but this isn't the case, our nervous system is so powerful and is directly
connected to our unconscious and primeval minds. The feelings it sends to
our bodies are so strong and overwhelming that at times we can feel paralysed
by them. So, if we can’t shake the rabbit
awake, what can we use as a carrot to entice them out of this frozen state? We
know, in nature, that leaving the rabbit alone will be the only way to change
this state of immobilisation, as with time, it will sense the danger is gone
and bounce back to life. We can do this too with people frozen in fear, but for
many of us wanting to help our loved ones and ourselves, we don’t just want to
wait it out until our nervous system feels safe again.
