This is such a helpful depiction - especially for those of us who are highly visual learners. As a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, I'd like to see the addition of other childhood trauma and dysregulation that aren't mentioned here. Even well-intentioned parents and caregivers aren't always able to attune to babies and support healthy development, perhaps due to trauma of their own. Divorce, bereavement, moving countries, bullying in schools etc can all cause trauma. Another very common cause of early dysregulation was the practice of allowing babies to 'cry it out' - leaving babies in a high state of NS disruption and alarm to cry themselves to sleep. Basically, a high state of Sympathetic arousal, from which the only escape is shut-down, or freeze. When a baby learns to do this over time, the pattern of high sympathetic activation and dorsal vagal shutdown is carried into childhood, where shock trauma, loss, grief and even natural life transitions such as menopause can dysregulate a system that learned to 'manage' in this way. I feel it's important to note that the accumulation of events - the 'small stuff' that most of us don't identify as trauma - can also have a highly dysregulating effect. To quote/paraphrase Stephen Porges (I think!) - 'trauma is not in the event, but in how the system responds to the event in the here and now'
What an exceptional summary of polyvagal theory! This is much needed for us therapists teaching such a complex subject to in a simple manner. Much appreciation.
Thank you for a great summary!! It’s sometimes very difficult to be around calm, happy persons when we are not able to feel calm and happy. EMDR therapy + parts work (like IFS) within a very co-regulating therapeutic relationship can heal and integrate traumatized parts of self, allowing us to believe in, seek and accept healthy relationship😌
This was a fascinating video, thank you. I haven’t looked at your full list of videos yet, but a supplemental video based on this with a focus on autism would allow people like me to better connect and be able to work with the information. Thank you!!!
Excellent video. Thank you. It explains the ANS really well, and the visual was helpful. I really liked the blended states of 'safe and mobilised' and 'safe and immobilised'. I am curious, however, that with co-regulation, you suggest choosing to be with people that offer safety. I think this is partly helpful, yet what about the times we just don't have the choice? I have been practising something called The Work of Byron Katie, which offers the opportunity to sit in stillness and meditation to question the things that cause me to feel unsafe (my thinking). With practice, things that felt unsafe dissipate, and I feel more regulated. Likewise, EMDR, as I am experiencing it, can have similar effects: what once was alarming to my ANS has no velcro or rub, and my nervous system is calmer. My experience with The Work of Byron Katie allows me to accept reality and use what feels threatening to learn from, AND that doesn't mean I put myself in serious danger. I mean the situations that I perceive as dangerous but really aren't. I hope I'm making sense. There are so many options to meet the ANS and learn to open up my mind and heart, and it is exciting that there are options. It feels more controlling to eliminate perceived unsafe people (and if that is all one can do to feel calm and safe, I get it). I like to practice self-inquiry first to understand myself and also a deeper understanding of others, which in turn brings more compassion (self and others) and peace to my world. I can be around once-perceived vexatious spirits and am in peace and connection with myself and others. And it doesn't mean I force myself to be around them. Thank you. Thought-provoking for me.
Wait - does this say that the severe and overwhelming symptoms of PTSD are fixed by sitting under a tree and playing a guitar or throwing a frisbee in a park? Or was that part not the point...
It's talking about the impact on your nervous system when you feel chronically unsafe. You may have found this video confusing and be asking this question because you really want to understand. It takes courage to ask for clarification. So keep looking for answers and relief! Alternatively, your question could be construed as mocking or oversimplifying the teachings as an automatic reaction. I've done this myself when something someone said triggered me or made me uncomfortable. If that were the case, and your question was meant to mock the video, this would be a good example of the fight/flight responses. If you fight like a snipper, you will likely continue distracting with these types of questions, not taking any responses seriously. (You'd love that you wasted my time replying.) If your fight response is more intense, you may get into a stance where you need to be right and will start arguing with people. If you move forward by responding from your flight response, you will not re-engage. These are called stress responses by some, and trauma responses by others. So if your question was triggered by PTSD, it would make sense to call it the trauma response as described in the polyvagal theory. With PTSD, (it's a terrible condition so I'm sorry you're dealing with this) if sitting under a tree helps you feel calmer and more serene, I would encourage you to do it. But it will not, by itself, fix PTSD. (Again, horrible, complex condition.) Let me know if that helps.
This is such a helpful depiction - especially for those of us who are highly visual learners. As a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, I'd like to see the addition of other childhood trauma and dysregulation that aren't mentioned here. Even well-intentioned parents and caregivers aren't always able to attune to babies and support healthy development, perhaps due to trauma of their own. Divorce, bereavement, moving countries, bullying in schools etc can all cause trauma. Another very common cause of early dysregulation was the practice of allowing babies to 'cry it out' - leaving babies in a high state of NS disruption and alarm to cry themselves to sleep. Basically, a high state of Sympathetic arousal, from which the only escape is shut-down, or freeze. When a baby learns to do this over time, the pattern of high sympathetic activation and dorsal vagal shutdown is carried into childhood, where shock trauma, loss, grief and even natural life transitions such as menopause can dysregulate a system that learned to 'manage' in this way. I feel it's important to note that the accumulation of events - the 'small stuff' that most of us don't identify as trauma - can also have a highly dysregulating effect. To quote/paraphrase Stephen Porges (I think!) - 'trauma is not in the event, but in how the system responds to the event in the here and now'
Thank you for the feedback!
Yes! It does'nt always have to be extreme. Thanks fof this.
What an exceptional summary of polyvagal theory! This is much needed for us therapists teaching such a complex subject to in a simple manner. Much appreciation.
How have I never seen this before?! SOOOOO GOOD! Will be sharing with my colleagues and clients!
Excellent explanation, thank you. This is so helpful.
Thank you for a great summary!! It’s sometimes very difficult to be around calm, happy persons when we are not able to feel calm and happy. EMDR therapy + parts work (like IFS) within a very co-regulating therapeutic relationship can heal and integrate traumatized parts of self, allowing us to believe in, seek and accept healthy relationship😌
This is brilliant.... summarizes everything my clients need to know. Thank you!
This was a fascinating video, thank you. I haven’t looked at your full list of videos yet, but a supplemental video based on this with a focus on autism would allow people like me to better connect and be able to work with the information. Thank you!!!
My therapist shared this with me... makes complete sense!
my therapist gave me this. oh man am I in shock
This is excellent!!! Great work!
This is amazing. Thank you!! Everyone should see this. I will definitely be sharing it far and wide. Genius
What a great resource to share with clients. Sooo appreciated.
This is going to be so useful in my work, thank you so much 🙏🏼
Love it!!!! And will be sharing your important message!
Excellent video
Hi Marina. I first saw this a couple of weeks ago and it resonates totally with me. Wow!!
A very supportive video to add to disseminating ACE's
great video, great content. THANK YOU!
So wonderful
I have been using this video to introduce my class mates, in a mental health school, to PVT
Brilliant!!
That is wonderful, thank you!
Phenomenal video - everyone needs to see this!
Thank you for your comment! So glad you found this useful.
wonderful - so clear and to the point
Brilliant! Thank You!
Great summary, Thanks for the upload!
Thank you ! Excellent resource,!
Great video!
Great resource
wow this is so true
Excellent video. Thank you. It explains the ANS really well, and the visual was helpful. I really liked the blended states of 'safe and mobilised' and 'safe and immobilised'. I am curious, however, that with co-regulation, you suggest choosing to be with people that offer safety. I think this is partly helpful, yet what about the times we just don't have the choice? I have been practising something called The Work of Byron Katie, which offers the opportunity to sit in stillness and meditation to question the things that cause me to feel unsafe (my thinking). With practice, things that felt unsafe dissipate, and I feel more regulated. Likewise, EMDR, as I am experiencing it, can have similar effects: what once was alarming to my ANS has no velcro or rub, and my nervous system is calmer. My experience with The Work of Byron Katie allows me to accept reality and use what feels threatening to learn from, AND that doesn't mean I put myself in serious danger. I mean the situations that I perceive as dangerous but really aren't. I hope I'm making sense. There are so many options to meet the ANS and learn to open up my mind and heart, and it is exciting that there are options. It feels more controlling to eliminate perceived unsafe people (and if that is all one can do to feel calm and safe, I get it). I like to practice self-inquiry first to understand myself and also a deeper understanding of others, which in turn brings more compassion (self and others) and peace to my world. I can be around once-perceived vexatious spirits and am in peace and connection with myself and others. And it doesn't mean I force myself to be around them. Thank you. Thought-provoking for me.
Please add adoptees to your studies!
اتمنى ان تترجم للغة العربية خصوصا نحن من بلدان عربية عانينا من حروب كثيرة وهذا فديو ينطبق علينا
beautiful, thank. youso much
very informative!
very nice! :)
Hello! will you have chinese version? Thank you!
EMDR did not work for me. MANY months of practicing still just didn't work.
Thank you for your comment. We wish you the best on your healing journey.
Is this video somewhere in Italian?
Unfortunately we do not have an Italian version; however you may use the built-in subtitle capabilities via UA-cam.
Español ?
Yes! Please visit our UA-cam channel to view the version in Spanish.
I only get audio when I play this
Uninstalled and reinstalled UA-cam and now I was able to view the video. Excellent clip!
Wait - does this say that the severe and overwhelming symptoms of PTSD are fixed by sitting under a tree and playing a guitar or throwing a frisbee in a park? Or was that part not the point...
I didn't get that connection from the video.
No, it says there are therapies developed to help reestablish safety and regulation.
I think is way more complex than that
It's talking about the impact on your nervous system when you feel chronically unsafe.
You may have found this video confusing and be asking this question because you really want to understand. It takes courage to ask for clarification. So keep looking for answers and relief!
Alternatively, your question could be construed as mocking or oversimplifying the teachings as an automatic reaction. I've done this myself when something someone said triggered me or made me uncomfortable.
If that were the case, and your question was meant to mock the video, this would be a good example of the fight/flight responses.
If you fight like a snipper, you will likely continue distracting with these types of questions, not taking any responses seriously. (You'd love that you wasted my time replying.)
If your fight response is more intense, you may get into a stance where you need to be right and will start arguing with people.
If you move forward by responding from your flight response, you will not re-engage.
These are called stress responses by some, and trauma responses by others. So if your question was triggered by PTSD, it would make sense to call it the trauma response as described in the polyvagal theory.
With PTSD, (it's a terrible condition so I'm sorry you're dealing with this) if sitting under a tree helps you feel calmer and more serene, I would encourage you to do it. But it will not, by itself, fix PTSD. (Again, horrible, complex condition.)
Let me know if that helps.