Trauma Sensitivity and EMDR
People with a history of struggle or trauma may be more impacted by traumatic events due to the interplay between their past experiences and the functioning of the polyvagal system. The polyvagal system is a complex network of nerves that regulates our physiological and emotional responses to stress and trauma. Understanding its role can shed light on why individuals with a history of struggle may have heightened reactions to traumatic events.
1. Hypervigilance and Alarm: Individuals who have experienced past struggles or trauma may have a heightened state of hypervigilance, where they are constantly on high alert for potential threats. The polyvagal system, specifically the sympathetic branch, becomes more easily activated, resulting in an increased stress response to perceived danger. This heightened state of arousal can make them more susceptible to being impacted by new traumatic events.
2. Difficulties with Regulation: The polyvagal system also plays a crucial role in regulating our emotions and physiological responses. Individuals with a history of struggle or trauma may have an impaired ability to self-regulate due to dysregulation within the polyvagal system. This dysregulation can result in difficulties in managing and recovering from the emotional and physiological distress caused by traumatic events, intensifying their impact.
3. Hyperarousal and Dissociation: Traumatic events can trigger a cascade of responses within the polyvagal system, leading to either hyperarousal (fight-or-flight response) or dissociation (shutdown response). Individuals with a history of struggle may be more prone to experiencing these responses, as their polyvagal system may be primed to activate in a particular way based on their past experiences. This can lead to heightened distress and difficulty in processing and integrating the traumatic event.
4. Altered Social Engagement: The polyvagal system also influences our social engagement behaviors. Individuals who have experienced past struggles or trauma may have altered social engagement responses, such as increased social withdrawal, avoidance, or hypervigilance in social interactions. These changes can impact their ability to seek and receive support following a traumatic event, further magnifying its impact.
It’s important to note that the effects of the polyvagal system on individuals with a history of struggle and trauma are complex and multifaceted. The polyvagal theory provides a framework for understanding the physiological and emotional processes involved, but each person’s response is unique. Therapy, trauma-informed interventions, and support systems can play a crucial role in helping individuals regulate their polyvagal system, promote healing, and build resilience in the face of traumatic events.
The use of EMDR on a trauma story.
Once upon a time, there was a woman named Sarah who had experienced a traumatic event in her past. The memory of that event haunted her, triggering intense emotional and physical reactions whenever it resurfaced. Sarah’s therapist recommended a therapy called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help her process and heal from the trauma.
During an EMDR session, Sarah sat comfortably in a safe environment, guided by her therapist. They began by identifying the traumatic memory that caused her distress. Sarah vividly recalled the event, feeling her heart race and her body tense up as the memory flooded her consciousness.
As the therapy progressed, the therapist instructed Sarah to focus on the traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation. This stimulation could involve eye movements, sounds, or taps, stimulating both sides of Sarah’s body. These bilateral movements activated the polyvagal system in a unique way.
As Sarah followed the therapist’s guidance, she noticed a shift within herself. She began to experience a combination of emotions, sensations, and thoughts related to the traumatic memory. This process engaged the polyvagal system, allowing it to recalibrate and regulate her physiological and emotional responses.
Through the bilateral stimulation and focused attention, Sarah’s polyvagal system gradually shifted from a state of hypervigilance and alarm to a more regulated state. She felt a sense of safety and calm within her body, allowing her to process the traumatic memory without becoming overwhelmed.
With each EMDR session, Sarah noticed a reduction in the intensity of her distress. The traumatic memory, once vivid and haunting, became less charged. She gained a greater sense of control over her emotions and responses, as the polyvagal system adapted and integrated the traumatic experience in a healthier way.
Over time, Sarah’s polyvagal system became more balanced and responsive. She felt a deeper connection with herself and others, as the therapy helped to restore her social engagement system. Sarah’s nervous system learned to recognize safety even when revisiting the traumatic memory, allowing her to navigate daily life with increased resilience and decreased anxiety.
EMDR had a profound impact on Sarah’s life, reshaping her relationship with the traumatic memory and the way her polyvagal system responded to stress and trauma. By engaging the polyvagal system through targeted bilateral stimulation, EMDR facilitated her healing journey, empowering her to reclaim her life and find newfound peace.
How does EMDR directly impact the poly vagal system?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) directly impacts the polyvagal system by facilitating its regulation and helping individuals move from a state of dysregulation or hypervigilance to a more balanced and regulated state. Here’s how EMDR can directly impact the polyvagal system:
1. Activation of Parasympathetic Response: The polyvagal system consists of two branches: the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) branches. EMDR therapy, through the use of bilateral stimulation like eye movements, taps, or sounds, can activate the parasympathetic response. This activation helps to counterbalance the sympathetic response, promoting relaxation, and fostering a sense of safety and calm within the body.
2. Regulation of Emotional and Physiological Responses: Traumatic experiences can dysregulate the polyvagal system, leading to heightened emotional and physiological responses. EMDR stimulates the polyvagal system and supports its regulation by providing controlled bilateral stimulation. This stimulation helps individuals process and integrate traumatic memories, allowing the polyvagal system to adapt and respond more appropriately to triggers, reducing the intensity of emotional and physiological reactions.
3. Bridging Adaptive Information: During EMDR, the bilateral stimulation, combined with focused attention on traumatic memories, facilitates the processing of distressing experiences. This process involves making connections between the traumatic memory and adaptive information or positive beliefs. As the polyvagal system becomes engaged in this therapeutic process, it helps integrate the adaptive information, shifting the autonomic nervous system towards a more regulated state.
4. Social Engagement and Connection: The polyvagal system is also involved in our social engagement behaviors. EMDR therapy helps individuals establish a sense of safety and connection with the therapist, creating a secure therapeutic relationship. This sense of safety promotes activation of the social engagement system within the polyvagal system, facilitating trust, rapport, and the ability to navigate the therapeutic process effectively.
By directly engaging the polyvagal system through bilateral stimulation and targeted processing of traumatic memories, EMDR therapy can help reestablish regulation, resilience, and adaptive responses to triggers. It supports the polyvagal system’s ability to recalibrate and integrate traumatic experiences, enabling individuals to move towards healing, reduced distress, and improved overall well-being.
Tim Welch, LPCC Mental Health Counseling,
Newark, Ohio Licking County Online Therapy. Virtual Counseling for Alcohol Addiction, Drug Addiction, Anxiety, Depression & Mental Health Issues.
