Polyvagal Theory/Attachment Flashcards
What is the Hierarchy of Response (Autonomic Ladder)?
- Top - Ventral Vagal - Neuroception of safety, social, engaged, connected
- Mid - Sympathetic - Neurception of danger, mobilized, action taking, fight or flight
- Bottom - Dorsal Vagal - Neuroception of life-threat, immobilized, shut down, collapsed
What is Neuroception?
- The ANS receives information without involving the prefrontal cortex
- Responds to cues of safety inside the body, outside the body, and between people
What causes Anxious-Ambivalent Attachment?
Inconsistent caregiving - caregiver is sometimes responsive and sometimes neglectful
What are some of the main effects of children exposed to early trauma?
- Hyper-vigilance to emotional cues
- Fear of abandonment
- Negative internal working model
- More need for proximity and reassurance
How do anxious-ambivalent attached children present?
- Children are preoccupied with the caregiver’s ability
- Often clingy and upset when the caregiver leaves and do not soothe when they return
- Hightened emotionality or clinginess in an attempt to gain the caregiver’s attention
What causes Avoidant Attachment?
Emotional unavailability of caregivers - caregiver is emotionally unavailable or actively discourages the expression of emotions
How do avoidant attachment children present?
- Self-reliance as a coping mechanism - children learn they cannot depend on others for comfort or protection
- Suppression of needs and emotions - avoidant behaviors, where the individual seems disconnected from their own emotional needs
- Negative internal working model
- Dissociation
- Desire for control - avoid close relationships or emotional vulnerability to maintain a sense of control
What causes Disorganized Attachment
When the caregiver is the source of fear due to direct abuse or significant neglect
How does an adults with Anxious-Ambivalent Attachment present?
Relationships: Preoccupation, fear of rejection, overly clingy
Emotion Regulation: Emotions can be intense and fluctuating, might seek validation from others
Self-Concept: Low self-worth and might base their self-esteem on their relationship
Hyper-awareness: Overly attuned to slight changes in a partners mood or behaviors
How does an adult with Avoidant Attachment present?
Relationships: Might struggle with intimacy, value independence and self-sufficiency, uncomfortable with too much closeness or vulnerability
Emotion Regulation: Suppress their feeling and might struggle to recognize or communicate their emotional needs
Self-Concept: View themselves as “lone wolves” or believe that showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness
Avoidance of Conflict: Might pull away or become distant when faced with relationship conflicts
How does an adult with disorganized attachment present?
Relationships: Can be volatile and unpredictable, swing between a strong desire for intimacy and intense fear of getting close
Emotion Regulation: Frequent emotional disturbances, struggle with self soothing, and maladaptive coping mechanisms
Self-Concept: Feeling of unworthiness and mistrust of others
Dissociation: Might “check out” mentally or emotionally in stressful situations
Challenging Behaviors: May display hostile or aggressive behaviors, especially is they feel threatened or cornered in relationships
How can the clinician help with Anxious-Ambivalent Attachment?
Consistent Reassurance: Offer regular reassurance about the therapeutic relationship’s stability
Setting Boundaries: Clear boundaries help the client recognize they are in a safe and predictable environment
Exploring Dependency: Explore patterns of dependency in relationships and assist in recognizing their own worth
Encourage Self-Soothing: Guiding the client in developing helpful strategies for self-soothing and coping without seeking external validation
How can the clinician help with Avoidant Attachment?
Consistently and Presence: Consistency in interactions even when the client pushes away or attempts to keep things superficial, makes the client realize they cannot easily push people away
Respecting Boundaries: It’s important to challenge avoidant behaviors, but it is also crucial to respect the individuals need for space in therapy
Validating Feelings: Assisting clients in recognizing, naming, and validating their suppressed emotions
Modeling Emotional Expression: Modeling how to express feeling and needs in a healthy, direct way
