Shutdown / SNB104

In this episode, I continue our audio master class in the Polyvagal Theory with the dorsal vagal shutdown state of parasympathetic immobilization.

My name is Justin Sunseri.

I’m a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist obsessed with the polyvagal theory.

Welcome to Stuck Not Broken.

Lots more PVT resources on justinlmft.com, including one-pagers on the fundamentals in the file share section

But before I get into things -put yourself first. I keep every episode as safe as I can, but just by the nature of the topics, you may experience some stuff come up. Take a break if you need to.

This podcast is not therapy, nor intended to be a replacement for therapy.

safe/social is for social engagement

flight/fight is for mobilization

Shutdown is for immobilization

• Conservation of resources

• Vs burning resources in sympathetic flight/fight

Everything slows down

Collapse, dissociate, immobilize, “playing dead,”

• Think of a possum, mouse in the jaws of a cat

Massive drop in blood pressure and heart rate

• Slowing down of the body

Reduced blood flow to the brain = dissociation

• Porges quote

Apnea - temporary cessation of breathing

• Sleep apnea is a serious reduction in breathing, not safe

Inhibiting movement means less need for food due to decreased metabolism

Pain threshold is raised

System is located below in the gut

• This is where you feel it, like around someone that kinda creeps you out

Disgusts the predator because dead prey are a cue of danger. Maybe evolved to avoid a corpse which could carry bacteria or something

Sacrificing neighbors by playing dead - Predator will chase and ignore a corpse

Animals come out of this state in a short manner of time, will look for cues of safety

A state we go into as a last resort

Supposed to be a short duration of immobilization

• Not ongoing

But we can get stuck in shutdown

The daily state of shutdown is a reflection of the evolutionary benefit of conservation and psychological disconnection and numbness

Lots of judgment and self blame

• Keeps the body in a small state of shame and guilt

Pessimism

• “What’s the point?”

• “I can’t do it.”

Worthlessness

• “I’m unlovable”

• “Nobody likes me.”

• “I’m alone and always will be.”

Very difficult, requires patience

Not something we can rush

• The judgment of the shutdown state makes this difficult

Through reorienting to the environment

• Noticing what is around you, especially not too stimulating

• Stimulate the senses

• Being outside and feeling the breeze, watching a tree

Through small actions like walking

• Just around my backyard

• Clients will describe being alone in their room with dim lights under the blankets and coming out in small steps, with their eyes first and just looking around

Safe & Social cues like eye contact and smiles

Calm, quiet

• Versus music

• Sitting with someone versus playing or dancing

Coming out is noticeable

• Energy in the system, sitting upright

• Thoughts change to more powerful and motivated

Tonight I noticed more playful energy and playing catch with my son, helping to make dinner and helping him cut out his mother’s day designs; had more capacity to check in with him about his feelings at bedtime

Often confused

Freeze is coming up in the next episode

Something called a “mixed state”

• Like mixing primary colors

BSA on website