About What's My Trauma Response?

This site was created to help people understand their trauma response patterns — the automatic survival strategies that shape how we react to stress, conflict, and relationships. We believe that accessible, clear, and accurate information about trauma can be a powerful first step toward healing.

Our mission

Too many people live with the effects of unresolved trauma without understanding why they react the way they do. They blame themselves for people-pleasing, shutting down, lashing out, or running from commitment — without realising these are survival strategies, not character flaws.

Our mission is to bridge the gap between clinical trauma research and everyday understanding. We take concepts from trauma psychology — like Pete Walker's 4F model (Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn), polyvagal theory, and attachment research — and make them accessible to anyone, regardless of background or education.

How the quiz works

Our free quiz asks 12 questions about how you typically respond to stress, conflict, and emotional overwhelm. Your answers are scored across four dimensions — Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn — to identify your primary and secondary trauma response patterns.

The quiz is based on established trauma psychology frameworks, including Pete Walker's structural dissociation model and the polyvagal theory of Stephen Porges. It is designed as a self-awareness tool to help you recognise patterns, not as a clinical diagnostic instrument.

Editorial standards

All content on this site is researched and written with care. We draw on peer-reviewed research, established clinical frameworks, and widely recommended books in the trauma recovery field. Our book recommendations are titles we have read and would recommend to a friend.

We are committed to accuracy and regularly review our content. When we reference specific therapeutic approaches or psychological concepts, we cite the original authors and source material. If you spot an error or have feedback, we welcome it.

Important disclaimer

This site is for educational and self-awareness purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Our quiz is a self-reflection tool — not a clinical assessment. It cannot diagnose PTSD, C-PTSD, or any other condition.

If you are struggling with the effects of trauma, we strongly encourage you to work with a qualified, trauma-informed therapist. You can explore options on our therapy comparison page.

Affiliate disclosure

Some links on this site are affiliate links — including links to online therapy platforms and Amazon book recommendations. This means we may earn a small commission if you sign up or purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you. This helps us keep the site free and ad-free. We only recommend products and services we genuinely believe in.

Sister site

We also run What's My Attachment Style?, a free attachment style quiz and educational resource. Trauma and attachment are deeply connected — understanding both gives you a more complete picture of your relational patterns.

Explore the site