![]() Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA, 2014).Įmotional flooding (or emotional dysregulation) occurs when the survivor experiences an intense barrage of emotions in the presence of a perceived threat. A “shut down” response in adults may present as disassociation (mind-body disconnection), depersonalization (sensed loss of self or identity), derealization (sensed loss of reality), or numbing (U.S. Well into adulthood, we continue to re-require strategies and supports to regulate our bodies when encountering traumatic stressors. Neonatal Intensive Care Units advocate trauma-informed research and education on how infants may demonstrate stress (appear to shut down, holding breath, gagging, sneezing, yawning, flailing, hyperextension, etc.) and ways in which infants may require supports to self-regulate (moving, grasping, visual locking, hand-to-mouth, suckling, etc.). Reisinger points out that “sleeping” is often observed in infants who shut down when presented with excess stress. This theory adds the following trauma responses: Response Typeīeing flooded with emotions in response to a perceived threat.Įmotional flooding, emotional dysregulationįeeling tired or sleepy in response to a perceived threat.ĭr. Curtis Reisinger suggested that the fight-or-flight response to stress was simplistic and incomplete (no kidding, we first used “fight-or-flight” in 1915 and have had several emerging theories and treatment strategies since then). 6Fs: But wait, there’s physiologically more!ĭr. Walker uses this model to explain the personality of childhood trauma survivors in relation to complex PTSD and developmental trauma disorder (neither are currently recognized in the DSM-V). fight/fawn (mislabeled as borderline), flight/freeze (mislabeled as schizoid), etc. Walker’s trauma typology proposes that we may experience one or a hybrid of the above, e.g. People-pleasing, fear to express self, flattery, “yes” person, exploitable, fear of fitting in Placating the perceived threat in an attempt to forestall imminent danger. Spacing out, losing time, feeling unreal, brain fog, or feeling numb. Posturing against or confronting the perceived threat.Įxplosive outbursts, anger, defiance, or demanding.įleeing or symbolically fleeing the perceived threat by way of a “hyperactive” response.Īnxiety, fidgeting, over-worrying, workaholic tendencies, or fidgeting.ĭissociating in response to the perceived threat. Pete Walker (2014) defines 4Fs from a trauma typology perspective and proposes differential diagnoses of complex PTSD: Response Type Porges (2009) proposes that our adaptive behavioral strategies are the result of physiology therefore, in his theory, we can manually stimulate the vagus nerve to increase vagal tone thereby allowing us to manage fight/flight/freeze. ![]() This nerve regulates our respiration rate and heart rate, stimulates gut motility and certain secretions of the digestive system, and relaxes/constricts certain muscles in our trunk.ĭr. In brief, the Vagus Nerve is the 10th cranial nerve (nerves that originate directly from the brain and not the spinal cord). Immobilizing in light of the perceived threat In his own studies, Porges theorizes that the evolution of the human system also changed the vagal pathway which automatically shifts our system from “rest-and-digest” to “fight/flight/freeze.” This adaptive strategy also allowed humans to respond and regulate social environments (Porges, 2009). In the early history of trauma research, the adaptive survival mode that kicks in response to danger was known as “fight-or-flight.” Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory added the “freeze” response. Rather, these tools may inform survivors how to better understand their response to environmental triggers, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or re-traumatization. It’s important to note that no one theory is right or wrong. When discussing trauma and grief, we oftentimes hear about the fight-or-flight response of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but as trauma research grows, so too does our understanding of how trauma responses emerge from the physiology altered by trauma(s). Choosing a Good– or Bad– Therapist for Your Autistic Child.Directory of NeuroDivergent Graphic Designers & Illustrators. ![]() ![]() Directory of Specialists Diagnosing Autism (ASD) in Adults.Directory of NonSpeaker Pages, Blogs, & Media.AAC: Augmentative & Alternative Communication. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |