The polyvagal theory is a relatively new concept that has been gaining traction in psychology circles. It explains how trauma can affect both the body and mind and provides insight into how to best manage its effects. In this blog post, we’ll look at what the polyvagal theory is, how it relates to trauma, and some ways to use it to better understand and cope with traumatic events.
What Is Polyvagal Theory?
The polyvagal theory is based on research done by Dr. Stephen Porges in the 1990s. This theory suggests that our bodies have three distinct responses to stress or danger—the fight-or-flight response, the freeze response, and finally, the shutdown response. Each of these has its own physiological manifestation that affects both physical sensations and psychological states. For example, when faced with a stressful situation, we may experience an adrenaline rush associated with fight-or-flight mode while also feeling shut down or disconnected from our emotions (shutdown mode).
How Does Polyvagal Theory Relate to Trauma?
The polyvagal theory helps us understand how traumatic events can lead to long-term changes in our physiology and psychology. When we experience extreme stress or danger—such as during a traumatic event—our bodies respond by activating one of these three nervous system responses (fight-or-flight, freeze, or shutdown). We might feel like we are constantly “on alert” (fight-or-flight) because our sympathetic nervous system has been activated, or we might feel emotionally numb (shutdown) due to an increase in activity in our parasympathetic nervous system. These changes can be long-lasting if left unchecked.
Ways To Use Polyvagal Theory To Cope With Trauma
One way to use polyvagal theory when coping with trauma is by recognizing which of these three responses your body is most likely to go into when faced with a stressful situation. If you recognize that your body tends to go into fight-or-flight mode or freeze mode when stressed, you can then work on developing strategies for calming yourself down such as deep breathing exercises or mindfulness practices. Additionally, if you find yourself shutting down when faced with stressors—which could be indicative of unresolved traumas—it may be beneficial for you to seek professional help from a therapist who specializes in trauma treatment.
The polyvagal theory helps us better understand how trauma can affect both the body and mind over time. It demonstrates that traumatic experiences can cause long-term physiological changes such as an increased activation of either the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system depending on which type of response was triggered during the event itself (fight/flight/freeze/shutdown). Furthermore, it offers practical strategies for managing these changes such as recognizing which type of response your body tends towards when stressed and developing calming techniques accordingly. If you believe that unresolved traumas are affecting your life negatively then seeking professional help may be necessary in order for you to process them properly and move forward in life free from their influence. Understanding the polyvagal theory provides us with insight into why this is important so we can take steps towards healing ourselves from past traumas and reclaiming our lives for ourselves once again!