Why You Shut Down Sometimes

If the usual depression advice hasn’t helped, it might be because it wasn’t built for your type of depression. I created this short quiz to help you identify your pattern and what to do about it. https://bit.ly/DrScottDepressionType When you are in the depths of overwhelm, it can feel impossible to do anything - even when you know action is the one thing that will keep everything from falling a part. Why does this happen? What can you do about it? Can you do ANYTHING about it? If my videos have helped, my new book, The Light Between the Leaves, goes even deeper https://bit.ly/DrScottLightBetweenthe... Here's what's in the video: 00:00 Understanding the Freeze Response The freeze response, a psychological reaction to overwhelming stressors, can paralyze us, similar to a survival instinct triggered by life-threatening danger. This response is a product of our brain's inability to distinguish between chronic stress and imminent danger. 05:14 The Nature of Freeze Response The freeze response is an involuntary reflex, not a conscious choice. It occurs when the midbrain, convinced of imminent danger, redirects resources away from the frontal lobe, affecting functions like emotion regulation, behavioral inhibition, and complex social engagement. This response can be triggered by overwhelming stressors. 13:00 Effective Strategies During Freeze Response Motivation through pressure or consequences is not effective during a freeze response. Instead, focus on small victories, celebrate them extensively, and gradually build momentum to shift away from the freeze response. Next Steps: 📩 Get Practical tools for navigating life with depression and anxiety, delivered weekly. https://bit.ly/SelfHopePsychology Mental Health Coaching with me: https://bit.ly/DrScottWebYT Therapy with me (for people in Iowa) https://bit.ly/DrScottNorthYT About me: I know what it is to feel hopelessly stuck and worthless to the world in general. I also know what it is to live without those feelings. I’m both a Clinical Psychology specializing in treatment-resistant depression and anxiety, and a human who has spent more than a decade managing sever depression and anxiety. Resources 🪣 Get my free 5-day guide to reclaiming your time and energy despite mental health struggles. https://bit.ly/DrScottBucketTheory 😴 Dramatically improve your sleep in 2 steps with my new Sleep Workbook. https://bit.ly/DrScottSleepYT 📖 My 1st book: For When Everything is Burning https://bit.ly/forwheneverythingisbur... Thanks for your support: 🤝 Join this channel to get access to perks: https://bit.ly/DrScottJoinYT Subscribe to The Psychology of Depression and Anxiety Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/DrScottAppPodYT Spotify: https://bit.ly/DrScottPodYT Disclaimer: This content is not intended to be a replacement for receiving treatment. It is purely educational in nature. My relationship with you is that of presenter and audience, not therapist and client. But I do care.