Understanding Trauma, Anxiety and Burnout in your Nervous System - Break the Anxiety Cycle 20/30

Recent questions

• How does the nervous system impact anxiety and depression?

  The nervous system can directly influence anxiety and depression by becoming stuck in alerting or activating states, leading to chronic feelings of anxiety or exhaustion. According to polyvagal theory, the nervous system has three states: safety (ventral vagal), activation (sympathetic response), and overwhelm or shutdown (dorsal vagal). A healthy nervous system is adaptive and accurate, allowing for a broad range of emotions and quick responses to danger while maintaining a sense of safety. An anxious nervous system is sympathetically dominant, with the fight/flight/freeze response constantly active, leading to heightened sensitivity to threats and difficulty in relaxation.

• What are symptoms of nervous system hypoarousal?

  Symptoms of nervous system hypoarousal include sluggishness, low energy, cognitive impairments, and social withdrawal. This state occurs when the body goes into shutdown mode due to overwhelming experiences, trauma, or chronic stress, resulting in symptoms like burnout or depression. It indicates a need for self-care, activation, and problem-solving to restore a sense of safety.

• How does trauma impact the nervous system?

  Trauma is described as the brain and body's deep learning system, where overwhelming or threatening events are stored as quick reactions, leading to subconscious responses triggered by certain stimuli. Trauma responses can manifest in various ways, such as heightened anxiety, anger, or depression, based on past experiences that have been deeply ingrained in the nervous system. Understanding trauma as a form of deep subconscious learning can help in recognizing and addressing rigid patterns of hyper or hypoarousal that interfere with overall well-being and enjoyment of life.

• What is the first step in addressing trauma, depression, or burnout?

  The first step in addressing trauma, depression, or burnout is to become aware of the state of your nervous system. This involves focusing on interception to scan your body and understand what anxiety feels like in your nervous system, including the hyperarousal and shutdown responses. By recognizing these states, individuals can begin the process of regulating their nervous system and implementing strategies for self-care and emotional regulation.

• How can one regulate the nervous system and manage anxious sensations?

  To regulate the nervous system, activate the parasympathetic response, and manage anxious sensations, individuals can consider taking a free course on Grounding Skills for Stress, Anxiety, and Trauma. This course can provide insights into the fight/flight/freeze response, grounding techniques, and how to identify and overcome anxiety and trauma to promote healing and flexibility. By learning these skills, individuals can work towards regulating their nervous system and addressing the impact of trauma on their overall well-being.