The Hidden Role of Primitive Reflexes in Adult Anxiety and Procrastination

Most people don’t think of things that happened pre or perinatal (in utero), before our first breath of life, as something that affects us later on. But with an expertise in developmental (early) trauma, I continually see patterns that carry through from conception all the way to today—2025. One of my favorite teachers, Dr. Stephen Terrell, says “the first 9 months in utero are actually the most important time of our life.”

Why, you ask? Because it sets the tone and literal neural pathways for how we deal with and process stress for the rest of our lives.

The problem is—and I hear this all the time—people say, “Babies are just cute blobs the first two years of their life and don’t actually start remembering important things until they’re three years old.” This is so wrong, not only inaccurate, but is detrimental to how we care for our little ones and the good humans carrying them. This is no shade to moms or parents—it’s simply the general cultural view in the Western world. This is important. It’s a wake-up call. What happens to us, or gets skipped, in utero and especially in the first 18 months of life shapes who we are today. Not only that but it shapes how we deal with stress for the rest of our lives.

One critical piece of this developmental puzzle lies in primitive reflexes, the involuntary movements we’re born with. These reflexes serve essential survival purposes and they’re meant to integrate as we grow. When they don’t, they can wreak havoc on our adult lives in ways most of us never realize.

While these reflexes should naturally integrate as we grow, chronic stress—especially pre- and perinatal trauma—can disrupt this process. An unintegrated reflex doesn’t disappear; it lingers in the nervous system, creating ripples of discomfort, anxiety, chronic pain, motor skill issues, learning disorders and more as we grow up.

One such reflex, the Fear Paralysis Reflex (FPR), offers a powerful example of how these early survival mechanisms can get stuck and impact us decades later.

What Is the Fear Paralysis Reflex?

The Fear Paralysis Reflex is one of the first reflexes to develop in the womb, acting as a survival response to perceived danger. It’s designed to freeze the fetus in response to overwhelming stress, keeping the baby still and “hidden” from potential threats. Ideally, this reflex should integrate before birth, allowing the nervous system to mature and adapt to life outside the womb.

But when a baby experiences chronic stress in utero—perhaps due to maternal stress, medical complications, or a lack of connection—the FPR can remain active, becoming a stuck freeze survival pattern that follows the person into adulthood.

Signs Your Fear Paralysis Reflex May Be Unintegrated

An unintegrated FPR can manifest in subtle yet disruptive ways. As an adult, you might notice:

• Chronic anxiety: A baseline feeling of fear or worry that doesn’t seem to subside, even when things are going well.

• Procrastination: Feeling frozen or unable to take action, especially on tasks that matter most.

• Overwhelm: A tendency to shut down or dissociate when faced with stress or decision-making.

• Social withdrawal: Difficulty trusting others or feeling comfortable in relationships.

• Sleep disturbances: Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep due to an overactive nervous system.

• Disordered eating: Numbing out through food, (bingeing, emotional eating) controlling intake or avoiding it altogether (restriction, orthorexia, anorexia).

• Feeling “stuck” in life: A sense of being unable to move forward, whether in your career, relationships, or personal growth.

The Connection Between Chronic Stress and Reflex Integration

Primitive reflexes like the FPR are designed to integrate within the safe and supportive presence of a caregiver. When a baby is consistently held, seen, and soothed, their nervous system learns to regulate, and these reflexes can complete their natural integration.

But when there’s a disruption—such as pre- or perinatal trauma, chronic stress in the mother, separation, or medical interventions—this integration process can be halted. The nervous system doesn’t get the signal that it’s safe to move on to the next phase of integration and development, so the reflex remains active, shaping the person’s responses to stress throughout life.

Why You Can’t Heal Reflexes Alone

Here’s the crucial part: healing unintegrated reflexes doesn’t happen through willpower or solo exercises. This isn’t a “Jane Fonda” workout you can Google and do at home. The very reason these reflexes didn’t integrate in the first place is because the baby felt alone or unsupported.

To heal, you need the safe, empathetic presence of another—a trained professional who can guide you through the process. In this relational space, your nervous system can finally experience the sense of safety and connection it was missing. This is where integration begins.

What Healing Primitive Reflexes Can Do for You

I’ve worked with many people from all over the world via Zoom, guiding them in integrating unprocessed reflexes like the FPR. The results are profound:

• Feeling less anxious and more grounded.

• Better sleep and an overall sense of ease in the body.

• The motivation to take action on tasks they’ve been procrastinating on for months—or even years.

• The clarity and courage to move into jobs, relationships, or life paths that align with their true purpose.

One client, who had been paralyzed by indecision for years, described feeling “unfrozen” and a deeper sense of belonging to her life and family. Another shared that for the first time in years, their shoulder pain had eased significantly and she hadn’t done anything else differently, almost like her shoulders and upper back could finally relax and let go.

What to Do If This Resonates

If you’ve read this and feel a sense of resonance in your body that says, This might be me—you’re not alone, and there is hope. Healing is possible, and it requires the right support.

In our work together, we’ll use gentle, regulation protocols to create a safe container for your nervous system. Through this process, we’ll work to integrate the reflexes that are keeping you stuck, allowing you to move forward with greater freedom, clarity, and connection.

Primitive reflexes are an ancient part of our nervous system, a testament to our resilience and adaptability. By giving them the care and attention they need, you can reconnect with the ease and flow that is your birthright.

Let’s begin this journey together. Reach out to schedule a session or learn more about how reflex integration can help you feel more alive, motivated, and at peace.

If this resonates, I’d love to hear your thoughts or questions. Healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in connection. 🌿