The Nervous System's Inner Drama: Trauma’s Unseen Effects on the Body

What is Polyvagal Theory?

Alright, buckle up, because we’re about to dive into Polyvagal Theory, a concept that sounds fancy but is actually super helpful when you’re trying to understand why your body goes haywire after a stressful experience or trauma.

Polyvagal Theory, created by Dr. Stephen Porges, is like the user manual for your nervous system. It explains how our body reacts to stress and trauma, and why sometimes we can’t just "calm down" like people tell us to. It’s all about survival – how we’re wired to stay safe when life gets intense. But when trauma is in the mix, our system can get stuck in survival mode.

Here’s the rundown of the three states your nervous system flips between:

1. Safe and Social (aka the sweet spot) – This is when you’re calm, connected, and capable of handling life like a functioning human. You feel safe, your body’s relaxed, and you can actually have a conversation without feeling like you’re about to explode. Trauma, though, can make it harder to stay in this zone, leaving you feeling tense, anxious, or like you’re constantly walking on eggshells.

2. Fight or Flight (aka when your inner superhero comes out) – When your body thinks something’s threatening you, it sends you into fight-or-flight mode. This is the “I gotta do something now!” state where your heart races and you’re either ready to yell at someone or run for the hills. But if trauma has been hanging around, you may feel like you’re in fight-or-flight way too often, even when there's no actual danger.

3. Freeze (aka the “don’t mind me, I’m just gonna disappear” mode) – If you’re totally overwhelmed and there’s no way to fight or run, your body hits the freeze button. You might feel numb, detached, or just like you’re emotionally checked out. Trauma can keep you stuck in this state, which can lead to dissociation, shutdowns, or feeling like you're not even in your own body.

How Trauma Messes with Your Nervous System

So, here’s the thing: trauma messes with our nervous system, making it easier for us to get stuck in the fight-or-flight or freeze states, and harder to access that calm, safe place. The result? Anxiety, depression, feeling disconnected, and struggling to find balance in relationships.

Healing the Nervous System: How to Get Back to Balance

But here’s the silver lining: awareness is power. Once you get what’s going on in your nervous system, you can start doing the work to shift out of the chaos and back into that safe, connected state. Here’s how you can begin healing and regulate your nervous system:

• Breathing exercises: Simple but effective, focusing on your breath can calm your nervous system and shift you out of fight-or-flight.

• Grounding techniques: Grounding practices, like feeling your feet on the floor or using your senses to reconnect to the present moment, can help reset your system.

• Trauma-informed therapy: Engaging in therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps process past trauma and regulate your nervous system.

These tools can help you start healing, regulate your nervous system, and move forward in your journey to feel more grounded and connected.

Let Us Help You Heal

If you’re looking for trauma-informed therapy to help guide you through this process, contact Willow & Moss Counseling. We’re here to support you in navigating your healing journey.

If you’re still scratching your head about how all of this works, check out this awesome video on Polyvagal Theory: Polyvagal Theory Explained. It’s like the cliff notes for your nervous system.

Willow & Moss Counseling – Compassionate Therapy in Cherokee & Cobb County, Serving Woodstock, Holly Springs, Canton, Kennesaw, and Marietta.