The Shame, Blame, Immobility Spiral
The Fear/Immobility Cycle
Trauma responses are often discussed in terms of fight or flight, but freezing—also known as fear-potentiated immobility—is an equally critical survival response. As Dr. Peter Levine describes in In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness, the freeze response follows a predictable cycle:
Arousal – The body detects a threat and prepares for action.
Unsuccessful Escape – Neither fight nor flight seem possible or effective.
Experience of Fear & Helplessness – The nervous system registers overwhelming distress.
Immobility – The body instinctively shuts down to protect itself.
This response is not a failure but a deeply ingrained survival tactic. In situations where fighting back or running could escalate danger, freezing may be the best chance for survival. Yet, despite its biological function, the freeze response is often misunderstood, leading to cycles of shame, blame, and immobility.
The Shame, Blame, Immobility Spiral
For many trauma survivors, the aftermath of the freeze response is marked by self-doubt, confusion, and self-judgment. Cultural narratives around trauma often reinforce the misconception that the only appropriate survival responses are fighting back or escaping. Because freezing is perceived as "doing nothing," survivors may feel ashamed of their response or believe they "should have" acted differently.
Common experiences of fear-potentiated immobility include:
Dissociation
Paralysis
Confusion
Feeling a pervasive sense of weakness or badness
Self-blame
Self-hatred
Collapse of shoulders
Slowing of heart rate
Aversion of eyes
Nausea
The cultural stigma around freezing as a response to danger can intensify the shame-blame spiral, making it even harder for survivors to process and heal. Many internalize the idea that they “failed” to respond correctly, leading to deep-seated self-criticism and self-hatred.
Breaking the Spiral
Healing from trauma requires uncoupling fear from immobility. Many therapeutic approaches focus on helping the nervous system process and release the freeze response, making space for self-compassion and empowerment.
Trauma-informed therapy can help by:
Recognizing the freeze response as a survival mechanism rather than a failure.
Offering somatic techniques to release stored immobility responses in the body.
Creating a sense of safety and self-compassion to reframe past experiences.
Helping survivors reconnect with their bodies and regain a sense of control.
This work should be done with a trusted therapist experienced in trauma and dissociation. Healing is not about forcing movement but about gently allowing the body and mind to integrate past experiences in a way that fosters resilience and self-acceptance.
You Deserve Support
The effects of trauma can feel isolating, but healing is possible. At Embodied Therapy Group, we specialize in trauma-informed, somatic, and mindfulness-based approaches to help clients reconnect with themselves and move forward with self-compassion. If you are struggling with the Shame, Blame, Immobility Spiral, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Schedule a consultation today to start your healing journey
