What is one characteristic of the freeze response?

The freeze response is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to perceived danger or threat, often characterized by a state of immobility or paralysis. This reaction can manifest in various ways, and one of the hallmark indicators is heavy, stiff, or cold limbs. When an individual experiences the freeze response, their body may become tense or rigid, which may also be accompanied by a sense of emotional numbness or dissociation, further contributing to the heaviness or stiffness in the limbs. This contrasts with the other options, which are associated with different responses to stress or danger.

Increased heart rate and rapid breathing are typical signs of the fight or flight responses, where the body prepares to either confront or flee from danger. The immediate action characteristic aligns with the fight or flight response as well, emphasizing an active engagement with the threat rather than the passive response of freezing. The freeze response is more about immobilization and avoidance rather than taking immediate action, which is why the characteristic of heavy, stiff, or cold limbs is distinctive for this particular response.