Are you Lazy or is this "Functional Freeze"?
"Functional Freeze" is not a term you'll find in textbooks but it describes a nervous system shutdown response that develops when you’ve been in chronic stress for too long. Because you’re still “functioning” on the outside, it can be easy to miss. In this episode, I break down how this response develops, why it’s so misunderstood, and most importantly, what you can do to gently thaw and come back into connection, energy, and presence.
I'm covering:
- What functional freeze actually is (and why it’s not in the DSM).
- The nervous system science behind why you can look fine while feeling flat, foggy, or emotionally distant on the inside.
- Real-life examples of how functional freeze shows up in daily life, work and relationships.
- What your nervous system actually needs to shift out of freeze (hint: it’s not more discipline, hustling, or mindset work)
If this episode resonates, please share it with someone who might be quietly struggling. And if you have questions on this topic, send them through. I'd love to answer them in a future “Therapy Hour” episode on https://www.crappytohappy.supercast.com
