A person can react to trauma in many different ways. We respond in ways very much like the animals of this world. This includes flight, fight, freeze, submit, and cry.
The flight response to trauma is leaving what is going on, not wanting to be in the situation. It is a flight into addictions. The addiction being substance use, sex, pornography, gambling, overspending, gaming, or eating disorders. It may be another kind of addictive behavior. This behavior becomes an escape from engaging in life. In this case, the addiction is a way of dealing with the emotions from trauma.
The fight response to trauma is when one wants to fight. This can be an outward fight with others such as rage, physical assault, sexual assault, or rape. It may be other aggressive behavior. It may be emotional abuse. The flight response can also be an inward fight. This may be internal emotional abuse or self-harm and possibly suicide.
Freezing in response to trauma is not being able to move. There may be anxiety and fear associated with such a response. This is frequently what happens to young children when there is nothing else they can do. It may be what happens to a woman who is not able to say “No.” Or she may not be able to make sure that her “No” is actually heard and not challenged or ignored.
Submit is accepting what happens in the moment. For a child, this may be the only option. If this becomes a chronic response, it can lead to a collapse of the spine and depression.
The cry is the voicing of one’s concern, usually being loud, though it can take many forms. This is like birds that squawk about their displeasure.