No, Allowing Dorsal Vagal Shutdown Doesn't Reinforce It (Unless...) (SNB 232)

Join therapist and coach Justin Sunseri as he addresses a key question from his private community about transitioning from dorsal vagal shutdown to sympathetic flight fight activation. In this episode of 'Stuck Not Broken,' Justin delves into the Polyvagal Theory, explaining how to safely navigate these states without reinforcing a shutdown pattern. He also provides insights into his upcoming book and exclusive cohort 'Shutdown to Stillness.' Learn how to live with more calm, confidence, and connection while enhancing your self-regulation skills.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:57 Understanding Shutdown and Sympathetic Activation
03:12 The Role of Safety in Navigating Shutdown
07:50 Practical Steps to Move from Shutdown to Mobilization
10:42 Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions
15:42 Updates on the Book and Future Plans
20:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, RUclips, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms. Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (99147).
#polyvagaltheory #dorsalvagal #traumarecovery

[@Jeannene2009]

Yeeeeessss, yep “We don’t release shut down.” 👍🏽

[@amytaylor2739]

It seems like it would be possible in certain circumstances to be at ease in the shutdown state but most of us are raised to believe that this state is unacceptable…everything from parents getting frustrated at a child who is slow, forgetful and who gets tired easily to schools and workplaces demanding a certain degree of performance. Which romantic relationships it can really be distressing when one partner interprets shut down states as “not caring” or “not doing enough”. So most of us who experience high levels of shutdown pretty much couldn’t help but get the message that it was not good, not ok. It can transform your life to begin to change that belief and start being kind to yourself when you are in shutdown. Don’t try to “get out of it” because this is exactly what a deeper part of you needs to do to feel safe.

[@JustinLMFT]

Thank you! The paradoxical thing is as we "try to get out of it," it kinda makes it worse. Instead, as we welcome it along with the safety state, we end up getting out of it.

[@l1lyst4r]

hello, you're probably busy and i completely understand if this goes unanswered: but i will shoot my shot and ask a question! is it possible that i, while in dorsal vagal shutdown, still be able to do things that i'm quite scared of to do? because i've been trying to, and taking risks really overwhelms me (like going outside and socializing when i have severe trauma from social experiences and experience cptsd symptoms like extreme anxiety/agoraphobia,). it really overwhelms me to the point i start to shutdown again or feel the symptoms of shutting down coming up, but i know i have to go out of my comfort zone too. should i keep trying? or should i just stop trying for a while? or should i find a healthy balance? thanks!

[@JustinLMFT]

that's a great question. I'll copy it into my questions list. :)
My short answer - I recommend we do things that are challenging, but while anchored in the safety state and listening to the needs of shutdown. Rest and recovery are important. Repeat.

[@arnavbhatia6937]

Does that mean everyone in chronic shutdown hsa experienced chronic sympathetic activation before that? Or is it possible to get dysregulated via stillness?

[@JustinLMFT]

No, I don't think it means that one was chronically in sympathetic before chronic shutdown. It just means their attempts at sympathetic solutions could not or did not work. And they were left with shutdown as a last resort and got stuck there.

[@arnavbhatia6937]

@@JustinLMFT is it possible to be in dorsal vagal shutdown without exhibiting low blood pressure or low HRV? In other words, is it possible to only experience the mental symptoms like dissociation and not the physical symptoms?

[@JustinLMFT]

I honestly don't know enough about the physical measurements of autonomic states to answer this question.