Trauma Response or Procrastination? How to Tell the Difference

by Dr. Denise Renye

Many people deal with wanting to put off tasks that are hard, physically and emotionally. Perhaps you are at a job that you don’t really enjoy but stay because it’s financially advantageous. If you find yourself putting tasks off until tomorrow (or the next day…or the next day) and you have had traumatic events or relationships in your life, it may be hard to discern if the avoidance of a task is procrastination or a trauma response. Both trauma response of freeze and procrastination can involve avoidance behavior, but they have different underlying causes and motivations.

Freeze response is a common trauma response where a person feels overwhelmed, helpless, and unable to act in response to a traumatic event. It can be characterized by a sense of dissociation, numbness, or feeling stuck. The freeze response is often triggered by a perceived threat or danger, and it is a way for the body to protect itself by shutting down in order to survive. In this state, a person may feel paralyzed and unable to move forward, even when they know they need to take action.

Procrastination, on the other hand, is a behavioral pattern where a person delays or avoids tasks that they perceive as difficult, unpleasant, or overwhelming. Procrastination is not necessarily related to trauma, although it can be influenced by past experiences or beliefs. Procrastination can stem from fear of failure, perfectionism, lack of motivation or focus, or simply a preference for more enjoyable activities.

So, how can you tell the difference between these two responses? One way is to examine the underlying emotions and motivations behind the behavior. If the avoidance behavior seems to be triggered by a sense of overwhelm, helplessness, or fear, it may be a freeze response. If the behavior is more related to feeling unmotivated, uninspired, or uncertain, it may be procrastination. Another way to distinguish between the two is to observe the physical sensations and body language. Freeze response is often accompanied by a sense of paralysis, numbness, or detachment, whereas procrastination may manifest as fidgeting, restlessness, or distraction.

It's important to note that trauma responses and procrastination can coexist or overlap, and it's not always easy to tell the difference. If you suspect that your avoidance behavior may be related to trauma, it can be helpful to seek support from a therapist or mental health professional who can help you navigate and heal from the trauma. If procrastination is a persistent challenge, seeking support from a coach or therapist can also be beneficial.

Having a trauma-informed therapist to help work through what you are dealing with could be an essential element to your healing path success. Reach out if you are interested in one of Whole Person Integration’s support groups or possibilities for individual sessions. And Stay connected by subscribing to the newsletter.