Polyvagal Theory Explained Simply 

I’m sorry to hear what you have been through. Warmest wishes, Teresa.

I was threatened with the prospects of being carted off to reside at a children's home as well... What's worse however is I had actually been there not once, but twice before. Basically for nothing more than hating school so bad because of bullying and ignorant pointless norms that I stayed home as much as possible. Often actually being physically ill... Likely due to stress. Though no less real to my young self. I was put on juvenile probation, then later tricked by my officer to come to the office supposedly. And doing so suddenly yanked across the hall to a hearing in family court. My family knew this was what was to happen but also lied to me. They gave me a lawyer who stuttered terribly but was a kind man... The district attorney and the judge mocked and laughed loudly at and because of my lawyers struggles to speak the words necessary to represent my case. Then made a spektical of my mother by making her take the stand and holding up a pencil. Asking her to please name the object. Then saying ",if you know what a pencil is why couldn't you pick one up to write excuses for your son's absences!?" I still remember the embarrassed and failure as a mother look she had on her face as she began to have tears roll down her face. This was about it. And my fate was sealed. I was sentenced to a future court date held in something like 45-60 days. And I was given to the custody of new York state. To be held in a none secure juvenile detention facility atleast until such time as the next court date. Then I was grabbed by two officers and taken from my parents right then and taken to a holding cell room in the rear of the court. Once put in the tiny room I saw I was in there with around 5-6 other kids. Looking severely agitated. One of which was a newly made friend I knew from school. Before long my friend and a couple other kids had enough and began to repetitiously pound on the walls with their fists and chant "fuck judge neno!!". I joined and we got louder and louder as we reassured each other we had each other's backs no matter what they would do to us! And that court, still going on was just on the other side of that wall and we were clearly getting our point across. Of course before much time at all 2-3 extremely angry and threatening officers entered our holding cell. They pushed a few of us around and couple landed on the floor. Then said that's it. This stops right now! The next kid who makes a single sound isn't going to none secure... But to DFY.. this instantly I could tell put a fear into the kids who knew what this meant. And that was that.... This was only 1 day. And a few hour period within that day of the life I experienced when I was only 13 yrs old.... It traumatized me greatly. Once I went back to court I was sent home... But now I saw how the world wanted me dead basically. I knew from then on I was not one of the "normal" people. Because I could never be ok with what they do to kids everyday of every week. And have fun while doing it!! Before long. Maybe 8 months later 1 innocent dumb split second mistake got me criminal charges and I was done for. It felt like a dream. I couldn't believe I could or would ever be sent back to these children's homes! This time much longer and more than one. With recommendation I was permanently taken from my family . All because I was picked on terribly in school and was so upset I was sick thinking about going most days. There is sooo much more to it all. But the point that took this long to arrive at was this. Even after allll that. My father STILL when I returned home the second time would constantly force me into his truck and drive me toward the county building. Being abusive and cruel the whole time. Saying that I am a piece of crap who ruined his life and he was taking me back! Getting rid of me for good, couldn't wait to never have to look at me again!.... He done this so many times I can't recall. All I remember is crying so hard I couldn't breathe each time. While he set there not caring one bit. They wonder how lunatics are made! Shit I didn't even add the story of the 4th grade teacher who was a deranged Vietnam vet. Who built a home made wooden torture chamber in his classroom.... Yeah.... I've seen some shit...nothing but fuckin shit!!! And this was in the mid 1990's.... Can you imagine years before?

@@ron1836sending you some energetic kindness✨ I hope you are able to find peace one day are able to make sense of the things that have happened to you.

P

As a recovered alcoholic and mother I would like to apologise to you Daniela.. my own daughter hasn't spoken to me in 8 years..and I have been sober 10 years.. the damage is done..may this apology help you in some small measure to know that the toxicity doesn't belong to you and you were never the issue..never. I will pray for your healing and my daughters ❤🇦🇺🙏

THAT HAPPENS TO ME , CAUSE THEY ARE LOW VIBRATIONAL BEINGS AND CASUE THIS ! JUST GET AWAY FROM THEM ASAP

Thank you so much for your kind words of support. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you for your kind words of support. It sounds like you are doing some really good work. Best wishes, Teresa.

Any advice on someone who is stuck in the freeze response with so many symptoms? 🙏🏻

@@jackiek4159 You might check out some trauma-releasing exercises, some of which are step-by-step guided videos, with others ones very simple yoga-style exercises such as pushing against a wall while switching foot stances (one in front, one behind). Dr. Levine has helped a lot with an intervention called 'The Power of the Voo.' I know at first it seems very silly, but I ask others to relate the vibrational aspects to music and how it evokes various feelings/sensations within the nervous system. Gregorian chant can have similar effects. Breathing is also crucial, and I enjoy box breathing. I recommend circular breathing (breath through the nose, exhale out the mouth). Remember to be patient with yourself; the process is a journey and not a sprint!

May I ask what steps you have taken?

Thank you for your kind words Paul. Best wishes, Teresa.

That’s great to hear Phil. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you for your lovely feedback. Best wishes, Teresa.

totally agree

I'm pleased to hear the video was helpful. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you for your kind words of support. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you for your kind words of support. It sounds like you are doing some really important work. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you so much for your kind words. Best wishes, Teresa.

I agree wholeheartedly

Thank you for your kind words. I’m so pleased to hear my videos are easy to understand. Wishing you all the best, Teresa.

Glad it was helpful! Best wishes, Teresa.

I appreciate that! Thank you. Best wishes, Teresa.

Glad it was helpful! Best wishes, Teresa.

That’s great to hear. Thank you for your kind feedback, it means a lot. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you so much for your kind words of support. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thanks for your support. Best wishes, Teresa.

Glad you like them! Best wishes, Teresa.

That’s great to hear. Best wishes, Teresa.

That’s great to hear. Best wishes, Teresa.

You're very welcome! Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you. Best wishes, Teresa.

Glad it was helpful! Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thanks for your kind words of support, greatly appointment. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you. Best wishes, Teresa.

That's great to hear ElizaP. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you. Best wishes, Teresa

Glad you liked it! Best wishes, Teresa.

Glad it was helpful! Best wishes, Teresa.

You are very welcome. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you so much Mirana. Best wishes, Teresa.

Glad it was helpful! Best wishes, Teresa.

Thanks for your support and kind words. Best wishes, Teresa.

Glad you liked it. Best wishes, Teresa.

So nice of you, thank you. Best wishes, Teresa.

You're very welcome! Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you for your lovely feedback. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you for your kind comment. Best wishes, Teresa.

That’s great to hear, thank you. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thanks for the sub! Best wishes, Teresa.

That’s great to hear. Best wishes, Teresa.

Glad you liked it. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you! Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you for your support. Best wishes, Teresa.

It's a pleasure. Best wishes, Teresa.

You're welcome! Best wishes, Teresa.

Glad it was helpful! Best wishes, Teresa.

That’s great to hear. Best wishes, Teresa.

You can’t coregulate with an abusive partner. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thanks for your support. Best wishes, Teresa.

Glad it was helpful! Best wishes, Teresa.

Thanks 😊

I'm so pleased polyvagal theory now makes sense. Coregulating is really about regulating with another person but you may be re-parenting. I have a video on reparenting here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-k9Ngg1nIrE4.htmlsi=O4oDil6j4MxzBwth Best wishes, Teresa.

You're welcome! Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you so much. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you so much. Best wishes, Teresa.

@@LewisPsychology have u done a video on polyvagal excercises?

Not yet. Watch this space …Best wishes, Teresa.

Thanks for watching! Best wishes, Teresa.

I’m sorry to hear that. Warm wishes, Teresa.

Thank you so much. Best wishes, Teresa.

Glad you liked it! Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you so much for your kind monetary support. Greatly appreciated 🙏 Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you. 👍🏻

It’s certainly a shut down response so this wound be dorsal vagal. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you 😊

Thanks 😊

I would focus on tone of voice, eye contact, posture etc. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thoughts, sounds, touch, smell or bodily sensations can activate the sympathetic nervous system. Body sensations do not necessarily come first. Best wishes, Teresa.

I’m not suggesting that. I’m talking about neuroception. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you for pointing this out, very clearly stated. My video is a 7 minute introduction and obviously every aspect of Polyvagal theory can not be covered in such a short time. Best wishes, Teresa.

That's very interesting, thanks for sharing. I wouldn't like to make any assumption but your reasoning makes sense. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thanks for your question. Shutdown, or freeze, occurs through the dorsal branch of the vagus nerve. The dorsal vagal branch is part of the parasympathetic nervous system. Best wishes, Teresa.

@@LewisPsychology I thought the parasympathetic nervous system regulated the sympathetic system.

The parasympathetic system is responsible for the rest and digest response (ventral vagal) but it’s also responsible for the freeze response (dorsal vagal). Best wishes, Teresa.

@@LewisPsychology So what is the 3rd F of the sympathetic response? Fight, flight and......? Thx again

The 3 F's are fight, flight and freeze. Fight and flight is sympathetic. Freeze is actually parasympathetic. I agree that intuitively one would think the freeze response is part of the sympathetic system but it’s actually parasympathetic. I think I’m make a video about the freeze response as I agree it can be a little confusing. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you 👍🏻 Best wishes, Teresa.

You start with establishing safety then move up the ladder. My video on the freeze response will explain in much more detail: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9G2QUpHExjk.htmlsi=HD8BMPh9xJ04-Sv_. Best wishes, Teresa.

Thank you for responding, and so quickly. I watched the video, but I think I’m missing something very obvious. I’ve read around a fair bit of Porges and Deb Dana, but the whole model doesn’t make sense at all, to my mind. This is my confusion. How can someone start at the top of the ladder (safety) if they’re stuck near the bottom (freeze/shutdown)?

Sorry, my RU-vid just went a bit mad and flooded through loads of duplicate replies. I’ve hopefully deleted them

Have a look at my videos on the freeze response and the window of tolerance as they go much deeper. Best wishes, Teresa.

That’s great to hear. Best wishes, Teresa.

Glad it makes sense. Best wishes, Teresa.

F * 2 ... I'm so with you.

I’m from the UK. Best wishes, Teresa.