The link between dysregulation and trauma

Have you ever experienced the harmony of a perfectly tuned orchestra? Each instrument contributes to a symphony of sound, each note precisely in its place. But what happens when the orchestra is no longer synchronized? When every musician seems to be playing their own discordant melody? You can imagine how uncomfortable this can be to hear!

When this chaos occurs in our body and mind, we call it dysregulation. Just as an orchestra needs all of its elements to work together, our internal systems must communicate and collaborate effectively to function well.

Dysregulation, in its generalized form, refers to disruptions in our behavior caused by both psychological and physiological factors. Although often linked to trauma, it can also arise from other sources, from overwhelming stressors to underlying neurobiological vulnerabilities. This generally manifests itself in two main ways: through our nervous system (autonomic dysregulation) or through our emotional responses (emotional dysregulation).

I said that dysregulation is closely linked to trauma. Let’s see how. Trauma, often misunderstood, is much more than just an event or emotional wound. It is a pervasive phenomenon that can infiltrate every aspect of our being when we feel fundamentally unsafe and unable to cope with life’s challenges. When we live in this traumatized state, the impact extends far beyond our emotions: it affects the functioning of our entire nervous system, leaving us in a state of internal discord. This lack of internal balance is what academics call autonomous deregulation.

However, not all dysregulation comes from trauma. Sometimes people have difficulty modulating their emotional reactions even though their nervous system remains fundamentally stable. These people have not experienced the kind of overwhelming situations that disrupt the entire system, but they still have difficulty coping with emotional regulation. These cases often involve situational, developmental, or acquired factors rather than deeply rooted dysregulation of the nervous system.

Understanding dysregulation may be the key to better understanding the effects of trauma and finding pathways to healing. In this exploration, we will confront common misconceptions head-on, debunking myths that perpetuate stigma and misunderstanding of what trauma actually entails and what dysregulation means.

Myth 1: Deregulation is simply an overreaction

Reality: Although we all have moments of overreaction, especially when we feel in danger, dysregulation is a persistent, chronic condition that goes beyond fleeting emotional outbursts. It’s as if our internal thermostat is malfunctioning, leaving us unable to effectively regulate our emotions, behaviors, and many of our essential functions. For example, imagine someone who receives mild criticism at work. A typical overreaction might be feeling upset for a few hours or having a brief angry reaction. However, a person suffering from dysregulation may have their entire system disrupted for days: their sleep is disrupted, they cannot concentrate on tasks, their digestion is affected, and they have difficulty maintaining their usual daily routines.

Myth 2: Deregulation is just a word for bad-tempered individuals

Reality: Dysregulation is more than just a low mood. Unlike typical mood swings, dysregulation reflects a broader disruption of multiple body systems. It can disrupt sleep patterns, alter appetite, impair cognitive functions, and even weaken immune responses. While people suffering from mood swings can often self-soothe or possibly regulate their emotions on their own, those who are dysregulated often have difficulty returning to a balanced state without intervention, self-medication, or coping strategies. specific. A dysregulated individual’s emotional and physiological “swings” can last for days or even weeks, making them much more intense and difficult to manage than ordinary mood swings.

Myth 3: Dysregulation is always linked to trauma

Reality: Although trauma is an important cause of dysregulation, it is not the only factor. Dysregulation can result from a variety of influences, including chronic stress, medical problems, or neurological imbalances. While trauma-related disorders often manifest as emotional and autonomic dysregulation, many people experience dysregulation without a history of trauma. Conditions such as anxiety, chronic pain, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, multiple sclerosis, or even lack of sleep can also prevent the system from maintaining balance. However, long-lasting traumatic reactions can hijack our entire nervous system. Faced with overwhelming stress or threats that make us feel incapable of taking action, our body’s natural regulatory mechanisms can go haywire, leading to a state of dysregulation.

Myth 4: Dysregulation is only linked to emotions

Reality: Emotional dysregulation is just one type of uncoordinated system. Autonomic dysregulation, a hallmark of trauma-related disorders, affects the body’s automatic functions, leading to symptoms such as irregular heartbeat, digestive problems, or chronic fatigue. Although emotional dysregulation can occur without autonomic dysregulation, people with autonomic dysregulation also have difficulty regulating their emotional responses.

Myth 5: Deregulation is a sign of weakness

Reality: Neither emotional nor autonomic dysregulation indicates a person’s character deficit or a sign of weakness. Dysregulation occurs when the brain goes into crisis mode that becomes chronic, believing that this is the best way to keep the individual functioning. This reflects a system functioning to ensure survival, not a personal failure. Dysregulation is a protective response, designed to help the body cope with overwhelming or threatening experiences, rather than a reflection of strength or character.

Consider someone who grew up in an unpredictable household where quiet moments were often followed by sudden conflict. Their system has learned to stay on alert even during periods of peace, constantly scanning for threats, keeping stress hormones high, and being ready to respond quickly. Although this may seem like “nervousness” or an “overreaction” to others, it is actually their brain that is demonstrating a remarkable ability to adapt: ​​it has developed a strategy to help them survive in an unpredictable environment. The fact that their system was able to protect them, even though that protection is no longer necessary, shows the intelligence of our survival mechanisms rather than any personal weakness.

Myth 6: Deregulation is something you can just “get out of”

Reality: Deregulation is not something you can simply “get out of” or “get over.” It is a complex interaction of biological, psychological and environmental factors that requires compassionate understanding and support. The autonomic nervous system is in charge of functions that are activated automatically. Getting them is not easy. It is possible but requires a lot of awareness, attention and skill.

Trauma can be difficult to resolve if the system suffers from autonomic dysregulation. Many therapies focus on processing traumatic memories, but it’s too difficult to find new meaning in our experiences when our system continues to produce a cacophony.