What Frozen Iguanas Teach Us About Trauma Healing

I hope you're feeling warm on this winter day! I just got back from a brief trip to Florida and I've gotta say, it's not that much warmer there than it is here, in cold New Yawk!

It was pretty darn cold down there. Yes, even with my fave pumpkin latte and blasting heat, it was far from "sunshine state" weather. We had a delightful weekend with family and we even got to visit the Kennedy Space Center (it's a great place, if you haven't been)!

Froze Iguanas | How They Survive the Cold Weather & A Lesson for Us

One evening, after we upped the heat, & got comfy on the couches, my brother in law mentioned that when it's this cold in Florida, there are "frozen iguanas".  

My ears perked up. My sister chimed in, & explained how, in the cold of winter, Floridians have seen iguanas suddenly falling to the ground - seemingly frozen, or dead. When asked what to do when they saw this,  the recommendation was to leave the iguanas be. 

When the weather gets too cold for iguanas, they become immobilized and go into a "coma like" state. 

Here's a recent quote from The Palm Beach Post,  (Dec 28th, 2022)

"Like all cold-blooded animals, iguanas can't generate their own heat so as the surrounding temperatures drop, so does theirs. They survive cold weather by slowing down their blood flow, circulation and heart rate. But the paralysis is temporary most of the time. When the temperatures rise again, the stunned iguanas will usually get up and resume their business."

The Connection | The Freeze  Response & Trauma Healing 

Survival Strategies and The Freeze Response
 

Did you know that, when we are faced with real or perceived threat or danger, we go into something called "survival mode", and use strategies to cope?  These are unconscious methods that we use to survive difficult circumstances and emotional experiences.

 Some of the survival strategies are Fight, Flight, Freeze, Submit & Attach. There is also another term called the Fawn Response.( I go into each of these in detail in a future blog- be sure to check your email in the next few days!)

The Freeze Response & Dissociation |

A Brilliant Survival Strategy

When I heard about the term "frozen iguanas", I thought about the "freeze response" also known as "numbing out", or called "dissociation".

I had just reviewed the content on the 8th Module in my Trauma Therapist Training program all about Dissociation. In  that module, we review fundamentals of trauma psychotherapy; and for true healing and change, we work in steps:

STEP ONE …

With first,  appreciating the survival mechanism that have been used, and get to see why it came in to being - we use Somatic and Parts Work for this. For example, you only dissociate because the environment felt too scary, so the part that numbed out/dissociated came to protect you, to help you survive. 

STEP TWO:

..and then, slowly "defrosting" the freeze response or coping mechanisms used. We do this by providing support, and/or  tending to the pain, memories, trauma, neglect or suffering that caused them to turn to that survival/coping, to begin with.

For example: We help you share and process the pain of emotional neglect you experienced, & as and let go of the trapped emotions, the need to dissociate/numb lessens. You begin to feel your feelings  and let them move through and out of you. 
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Once the body and mind feel safe and secure -with good healing work, relationship building, resources and skills - the person can slowly let go of unhelpful survival strategies (dissociation, obsessing, disconnecting, addictive behavior, anger outbursts, people pleasing, unhealthy relationship dynamics....) and use the new ways of thinking, feeling and being.  

The Iguana and Trauma Healing | Space for Healing

The story about the iguana that made me think about trauma healing - because the suggestion is not to wake the iguana up. You don't "shake it" back to reality.  You wait for the body to recalibrate- as the temperature is warmer- and once it senses that "safety", it can "defrost".

The same is true for good trauma healing.

We cannot force ourselves, our clients, or anyone, for that matter to "snap out of it" or "get back to where they were at". When you're in a survival state, the most important thing is to go slowly .

Often, when it comes to healing trauma, we may feel compelled to "snap out of it" in a forceful way, when really  being mindful, skillful and intentional in the healing process is of utmost important. And, doing so leads to more sustainable change, longer lasting results and real relief!

So if you're in a place of healing, go slow and steady. When it comes to trauma healing, the quickest way to go, is by going slowly. Yes, slow is "fast" when it comes trauma therapy, (or healing work) that provides lasting relief.

Sending you much strength.

Until next time,

X

Esther

*originally posted on integrativepsych.co