[ad_1]
PolyVagal Theory: According to Dr Stephen Porges’ polyvagal theory, the vagus nerve, formerly considered to be one functional unit, can now be seen to have two divisions, separate in structure, distribution and function, and arising from different nuclei in the medulla:
– an old vagus, concerned with primitive survival strategies, found in primitive vertebrates
– a new vagus, utilizing more sophisticated strategies, which has evolved in mammals
This means that the autonomic nervous system, conventionally regarded as a two-division system – sympathetic and parasympathetic, either balancing each other or in conflict with each other and carrying out basic survival strategies – can now be perceived as having three levels of activity – one sympathetic and two parasympathetic – enabling different responses, which take precedence over each other according to circumstances.
– the new parasympathetic division enables a more sophisticated response to circumstances (particularly adverse circumstances) using communication strategies where possible – speech, facial expressions, eye contact, listening – as a means of dealing with the situation
– where this is not effective or appropriate, the system will turn to sympathetic responses of fight and flight, as the next step in the defence mechanism
– where this becomes impossible, the system resorts to the old primitive parasympathetic division, leading to a freeze response, in order to protect itself.
Ideally, the response to demanding circumstances, threats, and challenges will progress through those three levels of response, engaging through communication where possible and only resorting to the other levels where necessary.
However, patients with a disturbed vagus may be unable to activate the ventral vagus response effectively, and may therefore automatically go into fight-flight or freeze response. This may apply to those with autism, hyperactivity bipolar disorder, or anxiety.
In autism, the nervous system’s inability to process information means that the level of stimulation is such that the system becomes overwhelmed and withdraws into a dorsal vagal level of freeze state.
Extract taken from Face to Face with the Face by Thomas Attlee. Image from Tracey Farrell.
PolyVagal Theory: According to Dr Stephen Porges’ polyvagal theory, the vagus nerve, formerly considered to be one functional unit, can now be seen to have two divisions, separate in structure, distribution and function, and arising from different nuclei in the medulla:
– an old vagus, concerned with primitive survival strategies, found in primitive vertebrates
– a new vagus, utilizing more sophisticated strategies, which has evolved in mammals
This means that the autonomic nervous system, conventionally regarded as a two-division system – sympathetic and parasympathetic, either balancing each other or in conflict with each other and carrying out basic survival strategies – can now be perceived as having three levels of activity – one sympathetic and two parasympathetic – enabling different responses, which take precedence over each other according to circumstances.
– the new parasympathetic division enables a more sophisticated response to circumstances (particularly adverse circumstances) using communication strategies where possible – speech, facial expressions, eye contact, listening – as a means of dealing with the situation
– where this is not effective or appropriate, the system will turn to sympathetic responses of fight and flight, as the next step in the defence mechanism
– where this becomes impossible, the system resorts to the old primitive parasympathetic division, leading to a freeze response, in order to protect itself.
Ideally, the response to demanding circumstances, threats, and challenges will progress through those three levels of response, engaging through communication where possible and only resorting to the other levels where necessary.
However, patients with a disturbed vagus may be unable to activate the ventral vagus response effectively, and may therefore automatically go into fight-flight or freeze response. This may apply to those with autism, hyperactivity bipolar disorder, or anxiety.
In autism, the nervous system’s inability to process information means that the level of stimulation is such that the system becomes overwhelmed and withdraws into a dorsal vagal level of freeze state.
Extract taken from Face to Face with the Face by Thomas Attlee. Image from Tracey Farrell.
[ad_2]
źródło