There is no specific test for Fear Paralysis. However, if your child exhibits any of the behaviors listed below, they likely have an activated fear paralysis and likely an active Moro as well.

Fear Paralysis is addressed by completing the Rhythmic Movement Series.

During normal childhood development, this reflex develops in utero and is the first one to emerge. It serves to aid in the protection and survival of the mom and baby.

Here's how it works:

• • If Mom has a real or perceived threat or high anxiety, she will release stress hormones like cortisol.
  • The baby will absorb these hormones at the cellular level causing a freezing mode of the baby to protect from an overload of these hormones.

• • This allows the mom time to slow down and deal with the threat without affecting the baby.

• • However, if the overload of hormones continues for an extended amount of time, then this reflex is likely to be retained.

Symptoms of Fear Paralysis

The child will consistently demonstrate any combination of the following:

• • Low tolerance to stress, poor adaptability dislike of change or surprise
  • Anxiety seemingly unrelated to reality, and when young leads to screaming, kicking, biting, or running away
  • Hypersensitivity to touch, sound, and changes in the visual field
  • Fatigue
  • Breath holding, fainting, or crying until fainting as a kid
  • Insecure/ lack of trust in oneself, fear of social embarrassment, difficulty, and uncomfortable or stressed when looking people directly in the eye
  • Overly clingy or may be unable to accept or demonstrate affection easily
  • Negativism, defeatist attitude, temper tantrums
  • Won't try new activities, especially where comparison or excellence is expected
  • Immediate motor freeze or paralysis under stress, can't think and move at the same time, sometimes terrified and feeling like they are going to die
  • Exhibit "freezing behaviors" - they will sit very still as if frozen in space
  • Experience high emotions, most often as anxiety, worry, or panic
  • They may exhibit these behaviors with or without an actual real threat. These can be imagined or perceived threats, as well.
  • They may also look like deer in the headlights
  • Shallow, difficult breathing
  • Low self-esteem
  • Depression, isolation, withdrawal
  • Feelings of overwhelm
  • Sleep and eating disorders
  • Elective mutism
  • Extreme fear of failure, or perfectionism
  • Aggressive or controlling behaviors
  • Be clingy
  • Have decreased motor and sensory responses
  • Prefer to be in isolation
  • Not respond to hugs
  • Has difficulty with expressive language - is able to talk, but clams up easily
  • Exhibit separation anxiety
  • Have poor social skills
  • Experience social anxiety
  • Epilepsy or low seizure threshold