INTRO -
In this episode, I…
Answer a Patron’s question about the difficulty in coming out of shutdown.
My name is Justin Sunseri.
I’m a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist obsessed with the polyvagal theory.
Welcome to Stuck Not Broken.
DISCLAIMERS -
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.
TOPIC - PATRON QUESTION RE: SHUTDOWN
From Anabell via Patreon -
What’s the best way to get out of dorsal shutdown? It feels really hard to get up the PolyVagal ladder. Is it simply bringing in mobilized energy? Why does it feel so hard to do that?
Review - dorsal shutdown vs freeze (episode 104 & 105)
Coming up the polyvagal ladder into sympathetic
What’s the best way?
I don’t know.
Slow
Calm, low stimulation
Patient
Being with others that are safe co-regulators
Quiet
Dim lights
Slow movements
Feeling into the shutdown state
Emptiness
Loneliness
Disconnection
Wanting
Images that come to mind
Cellar
It’s hard to climb the ladder from shutdown and in general...
Yeah every state up the ladder might be very new and very different
Existing in defensive states out of necessity
Feels weird, feels vulnerable
Shutdown to sympathetic can be overwhelming
Irritability is a common first indicator outside of therapy
BSA can be helpful in building the vagal brake necessary to tolerate the returning energy
Is it just bringing in mobilized energy?
Yeah basically
Not bringing it in from the outside
Producing it from inside, sympathetic
Allowing for the ans space to do so
Building a tolerance to it bit by bit as it returns
Why does it feel so hard to do that?
Feels hard, yes - sensations and feelings are difficult
Conserving to using
Because:
Not used to mobilized state
Different sensations
Might feel overwhelming
Anger feels like failure
A life we have not experienced
Not knowing what things can be like
ANNOUNCEMENTS -
THANKS SO MUCH FOR LISTENING!
I hope you’ve learned something new to help you climb your polyvagal ladder.
Bye!
This podcast 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 sx. Nothing in this podcast should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only. More resources are available in the description of this episode and in the footer of justinlmft.com.
Building Safety Anchors - https://www.justinlmft.com/challenge-page/5180d0d1-fa0d-4833-8a96-b41546791435/
This week’s Patreon episode - https://www.patreon.com/justinlmft
Intro/Outro music & Transition Sounds by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats
National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 1 (800) 273-8255
National Domestic Violence Hotline -1 (800) 799-7233
LGBT Trevor Project Lifeline - 1 (866) 488-7386
National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1 (800) 656-4673
Crisis Text Line - Text “HOME” to 741741
Call 911 for emergency
This podcast 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 sx. Nothing in this podcast should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.