An introduction to Polyvagal Theory (PVT)

Our Nervous System is beautifully designed to move with flexibility. The Autonomic Nervous in particular is designed to move with ease between SNS, our Sympathetic Nervous System, and PNS, our Parasympathetic Nervous System. Yet the world we live in, our lived experiences, childhood development issues, and/or traumatic experiences all affect this movement. It can become dysregulated.

When the movement between SNS and PNS isn’t flexible or becomes dysregulated, we often see emotional dysregulation or a poor ability to manage emotional responses. This can include a wide range of symptoms like depression, anxiety, high levels of shame, unhealthy anger, self-harming, addictive behaviours, perfectionism, conflict within relationships, and more.

Often within our current systems (medical and psychology), we focus on strategies to cope with those symptoms. What we want to do is dig deeper into the root cause and problem which is often the dysregulation of the nervous system itself.

Now, of course, coping strategies are important too! We have to learn to live in the world now.

When we consider ways to regulate our nervous systems, we need to create awareness, mindfulness of our body, and radical self-care strategies that are not mere improvements in our lives but radically change how we operate in our day-to-day lives.

Learn more with us about how awareness of your nervous system can help you start to regulate and improve how you feel and connect with others.

There have been many advances in our knowledge of our brain and nervous system. Neuroscience has evolved over the last two decades. One of the advancements has been the work of Dr. Stephen Porges and Polyvagal Theory.