This map doesn’t relate to me at all. I’m in hyperarousal all the time, and have been for years. I rarely sleep without meds, and I’ve been through the mill with therapists, some of whom have told me I need to further encourage hyperarousal in order to move through it, and get to safety. It’s very bewildering.
i don't think it helps that we live in a society (modern Western society) that actively encourages and rewards hyperarousal (via overwork, over consumption, doom scrolling, and generally over 'doing' of every kind), and undervalues relaxation and non-doing. If you add to that the 'programming' of the mind that happens in our childhood, then we can really feel like we're on a crazy train all the time...I hope you find moments of peace that help you imagine things otherwise, even if they are tiny ones!
Hi there - I understand your frustration and bewilderment! Have you ever worked with a somatic experiencing therapist? They are trained to never get us to 'override' our sensations but work with the felt sense to bring down that arousal (the first step to this though is to identify inner and outer resources that help induce a felt sense of safety first. Resources vary from person to person it can be as simple as looking at something that is pleasing for us to look at - and see how that brings down arousal levels even by one notch.
Greetings. I have seen SE therapists, 3 in fact! They unfortunately just made me way worse. Before then I was coping just about ok, but things just got gradually worse.
