“Patterns of protection have replaced patterns of connection”
Today, I learned that Im not crazy and the reasons behind my actions.
Amped - Up
Fight/ Flight/ Active Freeze- Sympathetic NS
• protection through Action (mobilisation)
• High adrenaline, heart rate, breathing, & muscle tension
• active energy, very alert & reactive
• low levels: anxiety, overcompensating & overwhelm
• High Levels: loss rational capacity, attack/flee
My Amped- Up state looks like:
Current coping strategies:
Social Engagement
My Window Of Tolerance- Ventral Vagal
• Safety, Calm & Connection
• Able to engage with others
• Can be creative, playful, hopeful, present
• Balance & equilibrium
When I am feeling Calm & Connected it looks like:
Social Defence
Switch- off/ Shut- down - Dorsal Vagal
• Protection through Disappearing (immobilisation)
• Decreased heart rate, breathing rate, & muscle tension
• low energy & low mood
• low levels: rest & digest, disengage, disconnect, numbing/zoning out, under compensating, depression
• high levels: dissociation, collapse, feeling numb loss of bowls and consciousness
My Shut - down state looks like
current coping strategies