Dorsal Vagal Shutdown and the Polyvagal Ladder

By: Julie Landry

In mental health and trauma, the concept of dorsal vagal shutdown plays a pivotal but often misunderstood role. This physiological response, rooted in the complex workings of the nervous system, can profoundly impact an individual's ability to regulate emotions and navigate stressful situations. This blog discusses the vagus nerve, dorsal vagal shutdown, the polyvagal ladder, and polyvagal theory exercises.

The Anatomy and Function of the Vagus Nerve

To understand dorsal vagal shutdown, we must first grasp the anatomy and function of the vagus nerve, a key feature of the autonomic nervous system. The vagus nerve, which is the 10th cranial nerve, consists of a complex network of fibers that originate in the brainstem and extend throughout the body. It plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rhythm.

The Polyvagal Theory and Dorsal Vagal Shutdown

Dr. Stephen Porges introduced the polyvagal theory, a groundbreaking framework that revolutionized our understanding of the autonomic nervous system's responses to stress and trauma. According to the polyvagal theory, the vagus nerve consists of three distinct branches: ventral vagal, sympathetic, and dorsal vagal. While the ventral vagal branch promotes social engagement and connection, the dorsal vagal branch is associated with immobilization and shutdown responses.

The Physiology of Dorsal Vagal Shutdown

Dorsal vagal shutdown occurs when the body perceives a threat or experiences overwhelming stress, triggering a cascade of physiological responses designed to promote survival. In a state of dorsal vagal shutdown, the body's energy is redirected towards essential functions such as conservation and self-preservation. This can manifest as a sense of numbness, dissociation, or disconnection from oneself and the environment.

The Polyvagal Ladder

The concept of the polyvagal ladder was developed by Deb Dana. It describes three distinct states or pathways that individuals experience in response to perceived threats or safety cues. The concept of the polyvagal ladder is important because it can help us recognize the signs and signals of each state and in turn to create strategies for self-regulation, emotional resilience, and relational connection.

Social Engagement (Ventral Vagal State): At the top of the ladder lies the ventral vagal state, characterized by a sense of safety, connection, and social engagement. In this state, the vagus nerve promotes relaxation, social engagement, and adaptive responses to stress. Individuals in the ventral vagal state feel grounded, present, and capable of forming meaningful connections with others.
Mobilization (Sympathetic State): The middle rungs of the ladder represent the sympathetic state, also known as mobilization. In this state, the sympathetic nervous system activates the body's fight-or-flight response, preparing it to respond to perceived threats or challenges. While mobilization can be adaptive in certain situations, prolonged activation can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, and hypervigilance.
Immobilization (Dorsal Vagal State): At the bottom of the ladder lies the dorsal vagal state, characterized by immobilization and shutdown responses. In this state, the body perceives overwhelming stress or threat, triggering a cascade of physiological responses aimed at promoting survival. Individuals in dorsal vagal shutdown may experience feelings of numbness, dissociation, and disconnection from themselves and the environment.

Recognizing the Signs

Identifying the signs and symptoms of dorsal vagal shutdown is essential for effective intervention and support. Common indicators include a sudden loss of energy or motivation, decreased heart rate and blood pressure, shallow breathing, and a sense of emotional detachment or apathy. Individuals experiencing dorsal vagal shutdown may appear withdrawn or distant, struggling to engage with others or participate in daily activities.

Trauma, Attachment, and Dorsal Vagal Shut down

Dorsal vagal shutdown often intersects with experiences of trauma and disrupted attachment patterns. Chronic stress, early childhood adversity, and interpersonal trauma can dysregulate the nervous system, leading to a heightened susceptibility to dorsal vagal shutdown. Understanding the complex interplay between trauma, attachment, and dorsal vagal responses is essential for trauma-informed care and healing.

Polyvagal Theory Exercises

Effective interventions for dorsal vagal shut down focus on restoring a sense of safety and regulation within the nervous system. Mindfulness practices, grounding techniques, and somatic experiencing can help individuals reconnect with their bodies and cultivate a sense of presence and embodiment. Trauma-informed therapy modalities such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy offer specialized approaches for addressing dorsal vagal shutdown and trauma-related symptoms. Practical techniques for enhancing emotional regulation, fostering connection, and promoting resilience are discussed below.

Exercises for Emotional Regulation

Grounding Techniques: Grounding exercises help individuals anchor themselves in the present moment, promoting a sense of safety and stability. Examples include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness meditation. These practices activate the ventral vagal branch of the autonomic nervous system, promoting relaxation and emotional regulation. An ND-affirming therapist can help you develop, practice, and implement grounding exercises in your daily life.

Self-Soothing Activities: Engaging in self-soothing activities can help individuals regulate their emotions and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Examples include taking a warm bath, listening to soothing music, or engaging in creative expression such as painting or journaling. These activities activate the ventral vagal system, fostering a sense of calm and well-being. Stimming is a self-soothing activity that can be very helpful to regulate a neurodivergent brain and body; click here for a list of stims that might work for you.

Social Connection: Cultivating meaningful connections with others is essential for promoting emotional regulation and resilience. Polyvagal theory emphasizes the importance of social engagement in regulating the nervous system and promoting feelings of safety and connection. Spending time with loved ones, engaging in supportive relationships, and participating in group activities can all help activate the ventral vagal system and promote emotional regulation.

Exercises for Connection and Resilience

Polyvagal-Informed Yoga: Polyvagal-informed yoga incorporates principles of polyvagal theory into yoga practice, emphasizing breath awareness, mindful movement, and connection with the body. These practices help individuals regulate their nervous system, cultivate self-awareness, and promote resilience.

Polyvagal-Informed Therapy: Therapists trained in polyvagal theory incorporate polyvagal-informed interventions into their therapeutic work, helping clients regulate their nervous system and process traumatic experiences. Techniques such as body-centered therapy, somatic experiencing, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can help individuals release stored trauma and restore a sense of safety and connection.

Criticisms of Polyvagal Theory

Like any scientific theory, polyvagal theory has faced scrutiny and critique. One common criticism of polyvagal theory is its potential for oversimplification of complex physiological and psychological processes. Critics argue that the theory may overlook the multifaceted nature of human behavior and emotion, reducing it to a binary model of safety and threat. Additionally, some argue that polyvagal theory fails to fully account for individual differences, cultural influences, and contextual factors that shape nervous system responses.

Another criticism leveled against polyvagal theory is the perceived lack of robust empirical evidence supporting its claims. While polyvagal theory has generated significant interest and research, some critics argue that many of its key hypotheses remain speculative and require further empirical validation. Additionally, some studies have failed to replicate the findings of polyvagal theory, raising questions about its reliability and validity.

Critics have also raised concerns about the potential for simplistic correlations between physiological states and psychological experiences in polyvagal theory. While the theory posits clear associations between autonomic nervous system states and emotional states, some argue that these associations may not always hold true in real-world contexts. Factors such as individual differences, environmental influences, and situational factors may complicate the relationship between physiological responses and emotional experiences.

Critics have questioned the scope and generalizability of polyvagal theory, particularly its applicability across diverse populations and contexts. Some argue that the theory may be more relevant to certain populations, such as individuals with trauma histories or clinical diagnoses, while less applicable to others. Additionally, critics point out the need for more research exploring the intersection of polyvagal theory with other theoretical frameworks and disciplines.