The “Polyvagal Theory” is an idea that people have a range of physiological/psychological states in our everyday behaviors that affect our overall health and wellness. Simply-put, the idea is that our nervous system has a “mind of its own” and regulates our mental and physical health. It does this without the brain and our consciousness being aware that it is happening.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) per Polyvagal Theory
The Polyvagal Theory theorizes that an Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) not only acts as an autopilot for the body, but suggests to us how we should consciously react to situations. This is thought to be the mechanism behind our “instincts” that have an affect on our behaviors.
What Are The 3 Principal States Per Polyvagal Theory?
Polyvagal theory states that the mind and body moves fluidly through 3 primary states:
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- Relaxed
- Immobilized
- Mobilized
Relaxed – Paraysmpathetic Nervous System | Ventral Vagal Pathway. The relaxed state is characterized by normal heart rate and muscle tone, and this state encourage the conscious being to be: Relaxed, Engaged, Curious, Creative, and Hopeful.
Immobilized – Parasympathetic Nervous System | Dorsal Vagal Pathway. The immobilized state is characterized by low heart rage and muscle tone. Immobilized individuals show low energy, and emotions of: bliss, dreaminess, tranquility, meditativeness when feeling safe. When feeling unsafe in the immobilized state, you can expect an individual to react with emotions of: depression, unhappiness, loneliness, and hopelessness.
Mobilized – Sympathetic Nervous System. The mobilized state is characherized by increase heart rate and blood pressure. Hormone flow is also elevated in the mobilized state, and accompanies increased muscle tone. Mobilized individuals are energetic, active, playful and motivated when feeling safe. When feeling unsafe, the mobilized individual shows ‘fight or flight’ emotions, is fearful, anxious and increased stress leads to feelings of impending doom.
Your Current State + Outside Stressors and Stimuli = Your Behavioral Reaction
As an example, if you are stressed and on edge (Your Current State is: Mobilized) and are subjected to another stressful situation, then the Polyvagal Theory suggests that you will most likely react with a “fight or flight” instinct.
Therapists and counselors have seen that applying the Polyvagal Theory to psychotherapy can help to analyze behavioral responses. Used in combination with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), therapists can better understand why we react and behave the way we do.
This is especially helpful in therapy for individuals with self-destructive behaviors that they cannot seem to avoid. It is often found that past trauma keeps the individual in a mobilized state more than is healthy for daily behaviors. In this mobilized state, an individual is more likely to react to stress, fear, and anger in a negative way. Helping the individual work around these states is easier for the therapist and individual once these states and behaviors are recognized.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Polyvagal Theory
DBT and the Polyvagal Theory work-together very well for therapists and those in therapy. Before we can fix the mental, behavioral and physiological issues that face us in daily life, we must first understand the issues thoroughly. Using DBT and Polyvagal Theory, therapists can find the root causes of addictive behaviors, substance abuse, sex addiction, sexual and arousal issues, anger issues, and anxiety issues.
Treating Anxiety and Panic With Polyvagal Theory
Anxiety and panic disorders leave individuals in a constant state of worry. Small details cause so much worry in anxiety sufferers, that sometimes even leaving the house or going to work is an excruciatingly painful experience. The Polyvagal Theory shows that these individuals are constantly at a mobilized state, and this constant state of nervous system arousal causes automated emotions and responses.
Recognizing that state, and being able to calm yourself into a state of relaxation can prepare you to make a more positive reaction to stressors. Some anxiety sufferers that work deeply with DBT, Polyvagal Theory and recognizing their own behaviors, are able to recognize negative thoughts BEFORE they become a negative behavior. Recognizing your own negative behaviors and changing them is a key turning point in therapy; and can be achieved more quickly when therapists are cognizant of Polyvagal Theory and implement the core principals into their own process.
Polyvagal Theory and Couples Therapy
Your Polyvagal State not only dictates your mental state, but it plays a part in your part of the state of the relationship. Think about it… the 3 states easily translate into a person’s perspective on the relationship. A person has one of 3 views on their own relationship with their intimate partner:
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- Relaxed
- Immobilized
- Mobilized
We want to have a good balance between Relaxed, Immobilized and Mobilized with our partner. We need to be: strong, comfortable, and vulnerable in a healthy intimate relationship, especially a sexual relationship. Problems arise when the 3 states are imbalanced or don’t match-up (much like mismatched desires).
Sexual Trauma, Polyvagal Therapy, and Sexual Trauma Therapy
Some of the deeper work with Polyvagal Theory involves identifying the behaviors around trauma, sexual trauma, past traumatic experiences, PTSD, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Polyvagal Theory has helped therapists grasp a deeper understanding of the “fight or flight” mechanisms of the brain that are involved with trauma.
Polyvagal Theory breaks down the stages and reactions of the brain and body when a person has an “emotional shutdown” (complete Immobilization due to fear, stress, and perceived threats). Likewise, it outlines the process and behaviors surrounding aggressive or violent responses and behaviors from some individuals. This highly focused Mobilization state can also be more focused on the positive end of the spectrum also — leading to very intense and passionate responses.
Sexual Trauma Therapists at The Arizona Relationship Institute
The Arizona Relationship Institute has therapists and counselors that are specialists in dealing with trauma, PTSD, past sexual trauma, and Adverse Childhood Experiences. We invite readers to Start With a Free Consultation to find the right Therapist that matches your needs.
Polyvagal Theory at The Arizona Relationship Institute
Many of our therapists are Polyvagal Theory-Informed, competent with the principals, and/or are studying further on the topic. It is a valid theory that has shown great benefits in real-life therapy sessions.
