PSYCHOEDUCATING ABOUT POLYVAGAL THEORY
I would psychoeducate my client regarding polyvagal theory by explaining them what actually is this
theory in very simple terms before actually diving into how it is related to their healing journey in
any way.
I would begin by letting them know that Polyvagal Theory explains how the autonomic nervous
system regulates our responses to stress, promoting safety or triggering defense modes, highlighting
the importance of the vagus nerve in emotional regulation & social connection, impacting mental &
physical health. I would let them know that there are two distinct and continuously active divisions
in our autonomic nervous system. A) parasympathetic system which is associated with us being
calm. When active, our heart rate is down, our breathing is regular, and our digestive system feels
comfortable. B) On the other hand, when our sympathetic–adrenal system is on high alert, our heart
rate is elevated, adrenaline is secreted, and ingestion and digestion are difficult. During this time, our
focus moves to the safety of our bodies
According to polyvagal theory, the two systems are in constant dialogue. When everything runs
normally, there is a bidirectional flow of energy and information, and the two work in harmony.
However, when there is a problem and we feel threatened, that flow changes, and we engage our
primary survival mechanism: fight or flight. It’s not always a bad thing, we need heightened
awareness, focus, and instantaneous action to maintain our safety. However, even when a threat
has passed, our bodies can remain in a state of perceived danger, our defenses engaged, and we
experience prolonged stress and anxiety. As a result, treatment may be less about managing the
upsetting experience and more about treating the resulting physiological response.
Now, I will dive into how polyvagal theory actually work. The regulation of the ANS involves a built-in
surveillance system involving higher brain structures that dynamically and continuously interpret
information regarding risk that is being transmitted via sensors throughout the body. From this
matrix of sensory information our nervous system is constantly discerning risk without involving the
thinking parts of the brain. This process is called NEUROCEPTION. It shifts between three main states
to help us survive. First is the ventral vagal complex-vagal complex is active when we feel calm and
safe. It inhibits automatic defence reflexes and enables us to interact with others from a place of
security. Then, sympathetic nervous system: When we sense danger, our sympathetic nervous
system activates and overrides the ventral vagal complex, it motivates us to react – either by fighting
or fleeing from the threat. Lastly, the dorsal vagal state: If we can’t overpower or run from the
danger, the dorsal vagal complex activates our freeze or shutdown response. This protects us by
minimizing harm.
I would simplify it more by making them understand it through the ladder theory (another name for
polyvagal theory), it would make it more relatable and easier to understand and how actually we go
from one state to another. They can imagine a ladder going from the basement till the very top of
the house.
First, the basement which is the dorsal vagal state(under neuroperception of life threat) It can look
like a dark, isolated, lonely and quiet place. Here all you do is survive. You are immobilized, there’s a
shut down and you might feel trapped. Attitudes like “I am buried under a huge load and I cannot
get out. I am alone in my despair. The world is empty, dead, and dark.”
Then come the main floors which is the sympathetic nervous system(under neuroperception of
danger). It is all the rooms where the commotion happens. Here you are mobilized, ready for action
which is fight and flight as the nervous system is triggered and the anxiety you feel makes you take
action. You might also feel frantic and agitated, ready to run or confront the problem.
Lastly, the roof top, the ventral-vagal state. There is a sense of free you feel in this state. You feel
safe and connected with others and your environment as you aren’t stuck in the past and are now
present in the reality, the actual present. You become social, engaged and connected all because
you don’t feel you are under attack anymore.
We can ask the client to mark and note the things that might resemble basement ( the thing that
makes them shutdown), their main floors (what mobilizes them) and their roof( what makes them
feel free). To help them move from one floor to another we can make the engage in grounding
techniques like deep breathing, body scan meditation, mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation
among other techniques.