Trauma Responses

When we are faced with trauma
Our conscious mind shuts down
Decision making ceases
And we are left to drown

To fight or flight, freeze, or fawn
The choice is not our own
Our brain jumps to survival
When faced with the unknown

Some victims may start fighting
May kick or scream or cry
Feel overwhelming anger
Thinking it’s do or die

Others may fidget or shake
And run away and hide
Or they disassociate
Escape on the inside

Others may be paralyzed
Cold, numb, heavy, and pale
Feeling overwhelmed with dread
Like if they fought they’d fail

Others seemingly give in
And willingly appease
Finding hope in compliance
They’d rather try than freeze

There’s no right or wrong response
Or way to be prepared
Having a plan in advance
Won’t matter if you’re scared

Your brain becomes a blank slate
And logic falls away
And all you can focus on
Is surviving the day

People aren’t trauma informed
They think you made a choice
To prolong your suffering
And stifle your own voice

So they give their opinions
“Flag down someone in sight”
“Say no or scream; do something!”
Convinced they know what’s right

Unsolicited advice
On what they would have done 
Invalidating comments
“You really should have run”

Victim shamed by those you trust
They just don’t understand
Constantly remind yourself
That they weren’t dealt your hand

Let them keep their innocence
Bury your truth within
Try to make them comfortable
Like you wish you had been

Written Fall/Winter 2019