Fight Flight Freeze Fawn Assessment | Trauma Response & Nervous System Worksheet

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This Fight Flight Freeze Fawn Assessment is a comprehensive, trauma-informed worksheet designed to help individuals identify nervous system survival responses commonly associated with PTSD, Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), attachment trauma, narcissistic abuse recovery, emotional neglect, chronic stress, anxiety disorders, emotional flooding, hypervigilance, dissociation, and trauma-related nervous system dysregulation. The fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses are adaptive survival strategies automatically developed by the nervous system to increase emotional or physical safety during experiences of danger, unpredictability, criticism, abandonment, conflict, emotional invalidation, or trauma exposure. These responses may appear as anger, defensiveness, perfectionism, overworking, anxiety, emotional shutdown, dissociation, people-pleasing, over-apologizing, emotional avoidance, or chronic fear of rejection. Many individuals use a combination of trauma responses depending on the situation, emotional trigger, attachment dynamics, nervous system activation level, and past experiences. This printable, self-scoring assessment integrates principles from trauma recovery, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), attachment-focused interventions, grounding-based strategies, and nervous system regulation to help individuals recognize survival patterns, identify emotional triggers, increase self-awareness, strengthen emotional regulation skills, and develop healthier coping strategies that support long-term trauma healing, emotional safety, and nervous system stabilization.

Mark Zauss, LMHC, LPC, CCMHC, NBCC, BC-TMC, ASDCS, NATC, CCTP, CCTP II, ADHD-CCSP, C-DBT Double Board Certified Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist

Fight / Flight / Freeze / Fawn Assessment

A trauma-informed, printable nervous system assessment designed to identify survival responses commonly associated with PTSD, Complex PTSD, attachment trauma, emotional abuse, narcissistic abuse recovery, chronic stress, emotional flooding, dissociation, anxiety, and nervous system dysregulation.

Psychoeducation: Trauma Survival Responses

The nervous system automatically develops survival responses to protect against danger, emotional pain, rejection, abandonment, criticism, humiliation, unpredictability, or trauma. These responses are not character flaws — they are adaptive nervous system strategies developed to increase emotional or physical survival.

• Fight: anger, defensiveness, control, irritability, emotional intensity, confrontation.
• Flight: anxiety, overworking, perfectionism, overthinking, panic, restlessness, avoiding stillness.
• Freeze: shutdown, dissociation, numbness, indecision, exhaustion, feeling stuck.
• Fawn: people-pleasing, conflict avoidance, over-apologizing, caretaking, loss of boundaries.

Most people use a combination of responses depending on the situation, relationship, nervous system state, and trauma history.

Client Information

Name Date What situations most strongly activate your nervous system?

Scoring Instructions

0 = Not at all | 1 = Mild | 2 = Moderate | 3 = Significant | 4 = Severe / frequent

Fight Response Assessment

1. I become defensive, reactive, or argumentative when emotionally triggered.

0 1 2 3 4

2. I feel intense anger, frustration, or urgency when overwhelmed.

0 1 2 3 4

3. I try to regain control quickly when situations feel emotionally unsafe.

0 1 2 3 4

4. Emotional activation causes irritability, impatience, or emotional intensity.

0 1 2 3 4

Flight Response Assessment

5. I overwork, overthink, or stay constantly busy to avoid distress.

0 1 2 3 4

6. I struggle to relax because my mind stays active or anxious.

0 1 2 3 4

7. I avoid slowing down because emotions or memories may surface.

0 1 2 3 4

8. I feel restless, pressured, or driven when emotionally stressed.

0 1 2 3 4

Freeze Response Assessment

9. I shut down, dissociate, or feel emotionally numb during stress.

0 1 2 3 4

10. I feel stuck, mentally foggy, exhausted, or unable to act when overwhelmed.

0 1 2 3 4

11. I avoid decisions, confrontation, or emotional situations because I feel overwhelmed.

0 1 2 3 4

12. Emotional activation causes withdrawal, shutdown, or emotional collapse.

0 1 2 3 4

Fawn Response Assessment

13. I people-please or prioritize others to avoid conflict or rejection.

0 1 2 3 4

14. I over-apologize, over-explain, or fear disappointing people.

0 1 2 3 4

15. I suppress my needs or emotions to maintain safety or approval.

0 1 2 3 4

16. I feel responsible for managing other people’s emotions or reactions.

0 1 2 3 4

Trauma Response Mapping

Which trauma response feels most dominant for you? What situations trigger each response most strongly? What body sensations occur during these responses? What coping strategies help regulate your nervous system?

Grounding & Nervous System Regulation

• Slow your breathing with a longer exhale.
• Relax your shoulders, jaw, and hands.
• Look around and identify signs of present-day safety.
• Ask yourself: “What survival response is my nervous system using right now?”
• Remind yourself: “This response developed to protect me.”
• Practice responding with curiosity instead of self-judgment.

Score & Interpretation

Calculate Score Print / Save as PDF Clear Worksheet

Your score summary will appear here.

CBT & DBT Wise Mind Reflection

Emotion Mind says: Reasonable Mind says: Wise Mind says: Balanced trauma-informed reframe

Clinical / AI-Style Summary

Primary survival response pattern Most common triggers Most significant nervous system reactions Recommended coping and treatment focus

Disclaimer: This worksheet is intended for psychoeducation, self-reflection, and therapeutic discussion. It is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric diagnosis. If trauma-related symptoms become overwhelming or create safety concerns, seek support from a licensed mental health professional or emergency resource.