Have you ever suffered from a “functional freeze?” Do you even know what the term means? Well, if you have ever felt stuck, or just unable to perform simple tasks that need to get done like doing the dishes, then you may very well suffer from functional freeze. But don’t worry so much about it because you are definitely not alone.
The term functional freeze is just the latest new phrase for explaining when you just can’t get things done and it can have two meanings depending on the context.
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In psychology, a functional freeze describes a state where someone appears to be functioning normally in their daily life, but emotionally they are shut down and numb. This can be a coping mechanism for dealing with chronic stress or trauma. People in a functional freeze may experience symptoms like low-level anxiety, difficulty connecting with others, and a lack of motivation.
For example, you might unconsciously distance yourself emotionally in a relationship to avoid getting hurt. (“I can’t be heartbroken if I don’t let myself feel too much”). Similarly, you might numb yourself with distractions like lighthearted content to avoid the weight of negative news. (“The bad news won’t bother me as much if I’m focused on something fun”). Being aware of these tendencies is the first step towards breaking free from this emotional shut down.
In software development, a functional freeze is a period during which new features are no longer added to the code. This allows developers to focus on fixing bugs and stabilizing the software before a release. There are different types of freezes, like a feature freeze or a code freeze, targeting specific aspects of development.
Sometimes, a functional freeze can mean self-isolation – not wanting, or being able to deal with other people and interact with anyone at a given time.
Frank Anderson, MD, a psychiatrist, trauma specialist, and author of To Be Loved, spoke about this with Oprah Daily.
“It’s more of an ongoing, chronic adaptation,” he explained. “I would call it a protective response to functioning in the world. It’s withdrawing, disconnecting, or distancing yourself so you don’t get hurt.”
However, Dr. Anderson went on to say that, “You can be shut down but also functional.”
Miranda Nadeau, a licensed psychologist, told USA Today, “Everyday stress can build to a level that’s overwhelming for your body – but how that stress is expressed will be different for everyone.”
“Functional freeze allows you to continue going about your life, but in a robotic, disconnected way,” Nadeau added.
So, now that you know what a functional freeze is you can better understand when it happens to you. If you do suffer functional freezes frequently then you might want to consult a therapist.
