Chapter 1 & 2 - Info Processing and Window of Tolerance Flashcards
Why do traumatized individuals often act impulsively or defensively?
Traumatized individuals often lack the ability to differentiate elements of experience (cognitive, emotional, sensorimotor) and are driven by overwhelming emotional and physiological arousal (hyperarousal). Undifferentiated experiences drive impulsive behaviour and further enhance dysregulation.
What are the three common patterns of arousal seen in traumatized individuals?
Hyperarousal - high arousal; Hypoarousal - low arousal; and biphasic arousal - alternating between hyper- and hypoarousal.
What happens when traumatized individuals do not have adaptive strategies for regulating arousal?
They cannot accurately interpret the behavioural and emotional responses of themselves and others, therefore often reacting in inappropriate or disproportionate ways.
Why can’t traumatized individuals accurately determine if internal reactions and action tendencies are based on present reality, trauma-related arousal or outdated defensive strategies?
They cannot determine the past from the present because the past traumatic experiences have not been integrated as a cohesive unit into memory/the sense of self. Therefore it feels as though the trauma is ongoing in the present when triggered.
What happens when a someone regulates their arousal and return to the window of tolerance?
1) They can better tolerate affective and autonomic activation without losing cortical functioning (i.e., widen the window)
2) They can access and integrate cognitive, emotional and sensorimotor information;
What is a major task for a sensorimotor therapist?
1) To facilitate the development of increased integrative capacity by expanding tolerance for daily life and present reality (e.g., thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations).
2) Once the window of tolerance is broadened, to integrate the traumatic past.
Trauma cannot be processed while living in ______ or ______ arousal. The first step is to learn how to __________.
hyper; hypo; regulate arousal
Three signs that someone is within their window of tolerance are:
1) They can accurately integrate external and internal stimuli.
2) They can think and talk about experiences and feel congruent emotional tones and sense of self.
3) They can maintain cortical functioning.
The window of tolerance varies for each individual. When someone has a wide window they ________. When someone has a narrow window they _______.
can cope with greater extremes in arousal and process more complex and stimulating information more effectively; experience fluctuations in arousal as unmanageable and dysregulating.
A low threshold for stimulation means
the nervous system becomes aroused with little stimulation.
A high threshold for stimulation means
the nervous system needs more stimulation to become aroused.
An optimal threshold for stimulation means
the threshold is high enough to tolerate stimulation inherent in the environment but also low enough to perceive subtle changes and novelty.
An individual’s threshold for stimulation is influenced by
1) The kind of sensory stimuli
2) The length of the effect the stimulus has
3) Initial arousal levels
4) Previous experiences
5) Temperament
6) Type of stimulation (e.g., cognitive, emotional)
E.g., a man who had critical parents developed a low threshold for negative feedback and loud voices.
How does the Polyvagal Theory describe the nervous system?
As a hierarchy with three subsystems of the autonomic nervous system (i.e., controls organs and glands) that govern neurobiological responses to the environment.
What are the three subsystems of the autonomic nervous system and which levels of arousal do they coordinate with?
1) Ventral Vagal Complex (ventral branch of the vagus nerve) - associated with the social engagement system.
2) Sympathetic Nervous System - associated with fight/flight.
3) Dorsal Vagal Complex - associated with freeze, shutdown, immobilization.
