What Freeze Actually Looks Like in Girls and Why We Often Miss It: Understanding Girls' Mental Health

Send us Fan Mail If you believe anxiety in girls only looks like panic and restlessness, think again. In this episode, I explore an often overlooked aspect of girls' mental health: the freeze response. When your daughter can't get out of bed, refuses to eat, or becomes withdrawn and silent, it’s not laziness, it's a biological survival mechanism known as the dorsal vagal shutdown. I'll help you understand adolescent behaviour better by showing why freeze is frequently mistaken for depression or typical teenage moodiness, and why traditional encouragement might actually worsen this state. This episode also offers parenting support strategies centred on recognising the signals your daughter's nervous system sends and how low-demand presence can help with recovery. If your mother daughter relationship is strained because your teen has pulled away, this episode will give you the insight to respond with compassion and practical understanding. Join us as we uncover the truth behind behavioural messages in girls and provide tools to strengthen your connection and support your daughter's mental health journey. Resources mentioned: Check out my website for more details And listen, if you’re sitting there thinking “I need more than this podcast episode”, I’m running a live webinar tonight - 19th February at 7pm GMT. It’s free. It’s 45 minutes. And I’m going to teach you exactly what freeze looks like, why we miss it, and what actually helps. You’ll also get to connect with other mums who are in the exact same place. So if you want in, grab your spot here. Spaces are limited because I want to keep it interactive, so if you’re thinking about it, just register now. If you’re listening to this thinking, “that’s me,” I’ve got something for you. It’s called Connect the Dots. It’s a really simple guide to help you slow down, look at what you’re actually seeing, and then zoom out and consider what else might be going on for your daughter. You can grab it for free here. Don’t forget to subscribe so you’re the first to get new episodes, and leave me a review - it helps other mums find the podcast too. Follow me on instagram or LinkedIn Let me know how you found this episode. See you next time! 💛