EMDR and the Flight Response: Trauma Therapy for Women
Struggling with reactivity or avoidance? Learn how EMDR helps women heal trauma, calm the flight response, and improve relationships.
Understanding the Flight/Fight Response
When women experience trauma, the body often stays stuck in survival mode. One common pattern is the flight response—the instinct to escape, shut down, or avoid. While this response once kept you safe, it can become exhausting when it shows up in everyday life. Many women describe feeling the urge to withdraw during stress, snap at their partners lose themselves in work or food or avoid conflict altogether. These reactions are not your fault—they are your nervous system trying to protect you.
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful trauma therapy that helps calm this overactive response. Instead of reliving painful memories or staying stuck in panic, EMDR allows your brain to safely reprocess past experiences so they no longer trigger the same “run away” reaction. Women who complete EMDR often notice they feel more grounded, present, and able to handle challenges without shutting down or fleeing.
The flight response doesn’t only affect you internally—it also shows up in relationships. Reactivity in conflict with partners, friends, or coworkers can be a byproduct of trauma. You may notice yourself withdrawing, over-apologizing, or avoiding important conversations, which can create tension and misunderstandings. Or you might notice that you become overwhelmed during conflict and end up becoming defensive or snapping at your partner. These reactions happen quickly, and often feel outside of our control. EMDR helps reduce these patterns by teaching your nervous system that it is safe to stay present, even in moments of stress or disagreement.
For women coping with both trauma and disordered eating, the flight response can also tie into using food as a form of escape. By resolving the root trauma, EMDR helps you respond to emotions differently—without the need to run, numb, or fight with yourself. This shift often creates space for healing not just in your relationships, but in your relationship with food and your body, too.
Ready to Heal?
✨ If you’re tired of feeling stuck in flight mode and ready to experience more peace in your life and relationships, I invite you to schedule a free consultation today. Let’s explore how EMDR can support your healing.
