What is Nervous System Dysregulation?
If you’ve been a part of my community on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn, you’ll know that I talk about nervous system dysregulation as being a key foundation to work to heal if we want to overcome trauma, anxiety, and burnout. We have to be able to come back into a regulated nervous system.
Have you ever wondered why anxiety feels so bad?
Not sure why you can’t think straight during stress?
This blog post will give you an overview of what’s at the root of many of the mental health issues we see lately, and how this gives us an opportunity to heal.
What is nervous system dysregulation?
When we have experienced trauma, our nervous system can become dysregulated, and continue that dysregulation and a “triggered reaction” by playing out fight/flight/freeze/fawn when there is no real danger.
This means that we go into self-protective states (fight/flight/etc) and feel the physical effects of this state within us, even when we are “safe” and in no current physical danger.
When healing trauma, anxiety, burnout (and a multitude of other mental health issues) one of the first concepts to understand is the state of our nervous system.
If you want to learn more about the states of our nervous system, check out my video on this HERE.
Our Autonomic Nervous System
Our Autonomic Nervous System moves us INTO and OUT OF fight, flight, freeze, fawn by activating our Sympathetic Nervous System or our Parasympathetic Nervous System.
This is great news when you have to run from a bear, or swerve out of the way to avoid an accident.
A healthy nervous system will be activated in the face of danger… or even for something as simple as an important project that we need to be motivated to complete. This is good!
A healthy nervous system experiences that activation of mobilizing… and then we are able to come back to a regulated state.
We very much flow with the waves of the day, and we aren’t experiencing anxiety, overwhelm, depression, or dissociation.
How does nervous system dysregulation show up?
Nervous System DYSREGULATION can show up as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dissociation
- Panic Attacks
- Impulsivity
- Rushing/fast movements
- Angry outbursts or losing your cool
- Difficulty relaxing
- Feeling “on edge”/Hypervigilant
- Overwhelm
- Fast heartbeat
- Sleep issues
- “Stonewalling”
- Stomach pain
Nervous system activation (like in times where you are in danger) begins a cascade of hormones and stress chemicals being released into your body, and continually being activated leads to dysregulation.
Living in this state long term is where problems lie, and why we see dysregulation as a key to healing with a holistic, whole body approach to wellness.
What health conditions are driven by nervous system dysregulation?
Nervous System dysregulation is seen in:
- Panic or Anxiety Disorders
- PTSD
- OCD
- ADHD
- Eating Disorders
- Chronic Illness
- Substance Abuse
- Suicide
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Becoming “highly sensitive” (HSP)
- Addictive Behaviors
- Hormone Imbalance
What else creates nervous system dysregulation?
Nervous System Dysregulation is not ONLY driven by trauma.
It can also be impacted by toxins like mold illness, biotoxin illness, Lyme disease, infections, other pathogens, heavy metals, inflammation, and substance use.
When you begin to have more self awareness, you will begin to see how you feel when you’re dysregulated.
Key Takeaways:
Nervous System Dysregulation is a chronic, body-wide activation when your body perceives danger. It is a driver for many chronic illnesses and poor health outcomes.
A healthy nervous system is able to come back to regulation at an appropriate time. Trauma absolutely impacts the stress response and your nervous system state, because it causes dysregulation.
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Introducing the Flourish by Michelle trauma education series!
In this series I am discussing common terms that I use in this community and within my work as a trauma informed coach.
Ways to learn more:
🌱Join my private group off of social media! I run weekly trainings on various topics related to trauma, anxiety, burnout, imposter syndrome, and more. You can join at tinyurl.com/flourishbymichelle
🌱Follow me on LinkedIn to see more of my content
🌱Join my 1:1 coaching program. Space is limited. You can send me a message on LinkedIn or contact me HERE to see if you qualify.
🌱Tune into The Flourish Podcast here: anchor.fm/theflourishpodcast
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Michelle Holmes is a Performance Consultant who supports teams and individuals to increase their performance, resiliency, and creativity so that the individual AND the organization can FLOURISH. She provides workplace wellness workshops + corporate consulting, speaking engagements, and personal coaching.
Great article, I truly had a great time reading it. Your writing style is extremely engaging and the ideas are highly insightful. Keep up the great work!