3/28/2023 0 Comments State of ct defense zone![]() ![]() This is the branch that serves the social engagement system. The ventral branch of the vagal nerve affects body functioning above the diaphragm. In addition to affecting the heart and lungs, the dorsal branch affects body functioning below the diaphragm and is involved in digestive issues. When the dorsal vagal nerve shuts down the body, it can move us into immobility or dissociation. This reaction can feel like the fatigued muscles and lightheadedness of a bad flu. Shutdown, or freeze-or-faint, occurs through the dorsal branch of the vagus nerve. Polyvagal theory helps us understand that both branches of the vagus nerve calm the body, but they do so in different ways. Use of our social engagement system, on the other hand, requires a sense of safety. Most counselors are already familiar with the two defense mechanisms triggered by these two parts of the nervous system: sympathetic fight-or-flight and parasympathetic shutdown, sometimes called freeze-or-faint. ![]() ![]() The two other parts of our nervous system function to help us manage life-threatening situations. Helping our clients shift into use of their social engagement system allows them to become more flexible in their coping styles. The social engagement system helps us navigate relationships. Polyvagal theory identifies a third type of nervous system response that Porges calls the social engagement system, a playful mixture of activation and calming that operates out of unique nerve influence. The parasympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system balances the sympathetic active part, but in much more nuanced ways than we understood before polyvagal theory.īefore polyvagal theory, our nervous system was pictured as a two-part antagonistic system, with more activation signaling less calming and more calming signaling less activation. The vagus nerve serves the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the calming aspect of our nervous system mechanics. Porges’ polyvagal theory developed out of his experiments with the vagus nerve. But Stephen Porges’ polyvagal theory gives counselors a useful picture of the nervous system that can guide us in our efforts to help clients. Although we can imagine bad weather, it is difficult to imagine changing that weather. Picturing brain chemistry can be something like picturing a hurricane. ![]()
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