Polyvagal Theory
Polyvagal Theory: Navigating Your Nervous System
Polyvagal Theory offers a powerful lens through which to understand our automatic responses to safety and threat. It highlights three primary branches of our autonomic nervous system, each playing a distinct role in how we connect, defend, and survive:
The Three States of Your Nervous System
Your nervous system has three main modes that help you navigate daily life and respond to threats.
The Safe & Social State (Ventral Vagal)
This is your resting state. When you feel safe and calm, this system is active. It allows you to feel connected to others, experience joy, and feel secure. This is the state where you can relax, engage in conversation, and feel grounded.
The Fight or Flight State (Sympathetic
This is your alarm system. When you sense danger, this mode turns on, filling you with energy to either fightthe threat or flee from it. While this response is crucial for survival, it can also activate during times of stress, leading to feelings of anxiety or being "on edge."
The Shutdown State (Dorsal Vagal)
This is your freeze or collapse state. If a threat is too overwhelming and you can't fight or flee, your body might shut down. This can feel like numbness, disconnection, or a complete loss of energy. It's an automatic response to conserve resources and protect you from pain when all other options are exhausted.
The Six Stages of Trauma Response
Trauma responses are not simple; they are complex and often involve a rapid shift between different nervous system states. The following are different ways the body and mind can react to overwhelming experiences.
Common Trauma Responses
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Freeze: Your body gets stuck and you can't move, as if you're frozen in place while trying to figure out the threat.
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Flight: Your body mobilizes to escape the danger, either by physically running or seeking distance.
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Fight: Your body prepares to confront or defend itself against the threat.
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Fright: You experience intense panic, dizziness, or nausea as your nervous system rapidly switches between being on high alert and beginning to shut down.
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Flag: Your body starts to shut down. You might feel mentally foggy, numb, or lose your voice, often accompanied by a profound feeling of powerlessness.
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Faint: This is the most extreme shutdown response. You might lose consciousness, feel extreme nausea, or lose control of your body. It's a last resort when the threat is overwhelming.
Understanding these responses is key to trauma therapy. By recognizing how your nervous system reacts, we can work together to build resilience and help you feel a greater sense of safety and well-being.