top of page

Why Coming Out of Shutdown is So Difficult / SNB112




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.


bottom of page