The Polyvagal Theory is the science that underlies mammalian connection and defense response…including human beings. Dr. Stephen Porges first published the theory in 1994.
The Polyvagal Theory is the first to illustrate the three distinct neural pathways which evolved over time into the hierarchical structure. These three neural pathways control our abilities to socially engage with each other, mobilize or immobilize.
The vagal nerve is the highway these three neural platforms utilize. Each one is part of the autonomic nervous system. Social engagement and immobility are “parasympathetic” while the mobility platform is sympathetic. These are each autonomic meaning outside of our conscious awareness. Things like breathing, heart rate, digestion, and sweating are not things we directly or consciously direct. They just automatically happen based on what autonomic platform is present or activated.
3 Platform Hierarchy
- Ventral vagus (Parasympathetic) = Safety system
- Sympathetic = Mobilization “Fight or Flight”
- Dorsal vagal (Parasympathetic) = Immobilization “Freeze or Collapse”
When we feel Safe our parasympathetic social engagement neural circuitry is activated. We have use of our face and neck muscles.
When we sense danger (real or perceived), the fight/flight sympathetic circuitry is activated. This allows us to run to get away or use our arms to fight back. Adrenaline is released into our system.
When we are undergoing overwhelm or life threat, our immobility circuitry is activated. This results in a shutdown or collapse.
Why Does This Matter?
Today we live in a world that is very disconnected with texting, emails, and social media platforms for interaction. We are less engaged face to face, and therefore more likely to feel disconnected. Social media platforms and this style of communication may very much be the cause of the increase we are seeing in teen anxiety and depression.
When our safety/social engagement circuit loses it’s ability to feel safe and connected by perceived or real behavioral cues from important people in our life, we can drop into the fight/flight mode very quickly, become hypervigilent, guarded, to try to protect ourselves. During this time, we become less engaged and may pick a (fight) or become defensive. We may withdraw and become small (flight), believing that we’re not seen or important, enhancing familiar negative core beliefs we carry. When our system feels it’s “too much” with overwhelm, or gives up, we fall into immobility or “collapse/freeze.”
Understanding the different states of regulation is extremely important for us to learn to regulate ourselves and find our way back to the safe/social engagement state.
To find out more about how you can begin to nurture your safety/social engagement platform then click here to find out more about my upcoming workshop.