Real People Share Real Experiences of Dorsal Vagal Shutdown (SNB 226)

Justin shares the felt experience results of his "Shutdown Experiences Survey." Real people in dorsal vagal shutdown share about their emotions, thoughts, and more. You will get more validation and normalization from this episode. Learn language for your shutdown experiences and ideas on what to do about it.
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0:00 Real People Share Real Experiences of Dorsal Vagal Shutdown (SNB 227)
01:00 the Shutdown Experiences Survey
02:43 Emotions of Shutdown
08:09 Thinking from Shutdown
11:30 Sensations of Shutdown
14:34 Impulses of Shutdown
18:06 What is it like to be in shutdown?
20:09 What's the Solution to Shutdown?
23:14 Outro
National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 1 [phone]
National Domestic Violence Hotline -1 [phone]
LGBT Trevor Project Lifeline - 1 [phone]
National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1 [phone]
Crisis Text Line - Text “HOME” to 741741
Call 911 for emergency
This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, KZbin, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms. Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (99147).

[@clarksondarling]

Shame from cptsd is so physically overwhelming and shame from not doing the actions and duties I'm "supposed" to makes it 10 times worse. I was actually happy to hear other people talk about death. I feel such guilt for wanting to be dead or to disappear and it's so odd and foreign to most ppl. But death and wanting to escape this hell thru death is a big deal. Its almost something no one Shud ever speak about and yet it is a huge part of shutdown. I've also never met anyone in shutdown who knew they were. So feeling less insane and weird is helpful :)

[@mr.melontoyou]

We must stop the stigma around mental health by discussing it. It is so important. Forget those it’s foreign too, the ones who judge. I know for me it was so detrimental to my wellbeing to not feel safe to talk about it. It’s okay. What’s not okay is to make people feel like they are not normal for having emotions. Unfortunately there are still people like that. Maybe, one day they will learn what compassion is. But for now focus on you, on a community eg. Here where it is okay to have those conversations. I believe my friends or people that have ended it. If they just had of felt more comfortable and had a safe place then they would still be here today. For me personally what kept me going was seeing the stigma and my pessimistic side towards humans kicked in. Cos, I could see how truly un compassionate they were toward me, which ironically kept me going.

[@azsunburns]

I definitely knew I experienced shutdown. I get you

[@TuesdaysMusica]

❤❤❤❤

[@aria751]

I can relate to this so hard. I’ve been exactly here. And it’s true, you don’t know that you don’t know, until you do.

[@heatherpalmucci5837]

Shame was the hardest for me to process. Now that I’m on the other side processing the bulk of it I can tell you those thoughts of self loathing and self harm have faded. The key is you have to lean into the healing process. Go all in. Feeling the feelings. Cry hard etc..work with a therapist who knows how to guide you through the process.

[@deborahriley1166]

Been shut down since 2019. Figuring it out more and more. Living with someone who is narcissistic martyr who has been shaming me. Leaving soon🫤

[@MissingScaffolding]

Same 2019, figuring it out multiple layers and triggers at a time. We don’t even speak in complete sentences most the time. Beat down, kicked repeatedly when down. 😔

[@mightymouse1005]

I braided my hair yesterday and told myself I looked good. That is a big thing

[@sag1970]

After 48 years with my husband he died 6 years ago yesterday. I was unable to function smile c new people in my life step outside and enjoy the Florida weather. All I saw were couples and I was alone the crazy part of it was I wasn't alone I was with my son his wonderful wife and my delightful grandson. Neighbors would have been open to meeting me and being kind but I was not able to meet to smile to participate to do anything but besides lay in my bed watch TV eat alone and avoid people because I would start crying as soon as I spoke to anyone. After 18 months this led my family to be so worried about me and so upset by my depression that it was necessary to get out on my own and stand on my own two feet. The past four years have been that through many illnesses and severe health issues. I'm on my way I'm back to Smiling to being friendly to be interested in people and asking questions about their lives and remembering their names and what we talked about. It's been a terrible long road but it's possible to get there don't give up keep going even if you don't remember what happened yesterday or the week before or a year ago . One Step then a second then another then another

[@sag1970]

I lost my sense of humor I finally started to be happy because it's up to me to be happy it's not someone else's job

[@zion367]

Wow... finally understand what I am going through. The lack of energy, the apathy, it all fits.

[@heatherpalmucci5837]

I've been working on reconnecting with my authentic self. Part of shut down stems from abandoning yourself to fit external expectations. Abandoning your true self causes disconnection and impacts all areas of your life.

[@Datb2]

Me to!!

[@lulumoon6942]

THIS

[@WarmAusterity-ii8dt]

What is the "true self"? What does that mean?

[@TuesdaysMusica]

@@WarmAusterity-ii8dt you should know who your true self is, it’s the self that isn’t acting or pretending, the self like you when you were a child.

[@marlenelindsey7638]

When you said freezing I could relate. I’m 3 months in. Started in February 2024. It’s now May. Doing the bare minimum. Heavy, small,isolate, overwhelmed, overstimulated all present. No thoughts of death or suicidal ideation. I moved into a retirement home at 56, due to physical disabilities and mental illness. Here just over a year, and now think it may have been a bad idea, although I moved from a very unsafe area to a very safe area. I feel like I’m tired of fighting my own autoimmune system which is attacking me and tired of fighting depression. Lost my dad in August of 2023. In September had a bad fall and ended up in a coma for 2 weeks. I was in a trauma center from 9-29 to 10-23. I don’t know what triggered it so now just focusing on what I need to do to get back to myself. Thank you so so much for telling me to feel it, honor my feelings. Today, I will write a list of what I need. Looking forward to feeling better. Again, thanks.

[@colleenstudio]

my body always feels like it's in cement and my brain is in pain.

[@jennebeattie3168]

My son died two years ago. He was just 14. On the 23rd of May it will be two years. I have been in freeze for 4 weeks. Losing my son broke me. I used to be tough, tenacious, brave and capable. That's all gone.

[@toiletrollholder]

That's heartbreaking. I am so sorry for your loss. Sending love ❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏

[@elizabeth_whyte.artist]

I also lost my son 2 years ago. I'm so sorry for your loss. 💔❤️‍🩹❣️

[@CF-wn2ce]

I know I'm just a stranger but my God, my heart hurts for you. What a terrible loss, are there even words for that pain. I doubt it 💔

[@lulumoon6942]

*CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE WHO'VE MADE IT THIS FAR. KEEP GOING!*

[@JustinLMFT]

🎉

[@rdhawke]

I almost can’t believe this showed up in my feed. So many descriptions of this state of be-ing fit me perfectly. I can enjoy a social situation only so much. At a certain point I have to extricate myself from even perfectly nice people in a collegial environment, it happened just last night. I came in the house and watched the movie ‘Starman’. I was thoroughly enjoying myself when the person I’m staying with opened the door to my room and was totally rude to me and mean to boot. After the movie I put on my sleep mask and went peacefully to sleep. Her negativity starts first thing in the morning with Fox so called “News”. Like right now at 7:00 am, I can hear it. i’m going to put my shoes on and go for my nature walk thank God for that! I will get friendly little waves from people driving by. I revel in that small connection. I can hear the birds calling to each other…and me.😊

[@perlefisker]

Thank you. I found this video to be helpful understanding what I only recently discovered is 'a thing'. To me, a combination of causes of shutdown (feeling of failure, resentment, bereavement, grief) makes it seem permanent, and the body's preparation for death seems natural in that light. The longing for solitude is the strongest urge. The feeling of being invisible to the surroundings and belittling myself is scary and grows stronger as time passes. The need for sleep and the lack of energy is overwhelming, too.

[@JustinLMFT]

You're welcome. Thanks for leaving a comment and sharing your thoughts.

[@mightymouse1005]

Talk about FAWN....placating an abuser in order to lessen abuse or win favor from the abuser

[@JustinLMFT]

I did an episode on fawn and appeasement not too long ago - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqe3iYd7e5lqprM

[@KiKi-te9yd]

Gosh. Its reassuring to know so many people understand it. Now how the heck do I fix it? This feels awful, I've wasted so much time.

[@2blackcatz426]

First blackout (vagal syncope) in 14 yrs last summer after having many since age 9.. 'Specialists' and My gp dont listen. Still have epilepsy on paperwork. At least they have deleted bi polar and replaced with cptsd. It pisses me off that the medicos have never listened. Would have been a big help reaching my potentialities in 20's and 30's......and 40's and 50's. Now 60 Your vids and time help a lot. Thank you❤

[@becky3769]

Something I find incredibly helpful in reconnecting is spending time on the floor. I practice something called Feldenkrais, but I also find simply rolling around on the floor in a very relaxed and unplanned way really helps me to begin to emerge from shutdown. (I'm lying on the floor right now as I wrote this:))

[@Jean-xo3hl]

No kidding!? I'm going to have to try this. I wonder if this has anything to do with anions/grounding in the most basic form? I was reading somewhere that putting ones naked feet (no socks, no shoes) in dirt or sand or whatever has some kind of positive effect on our Bodies, releasing anions or something like that. Not sure if it's relevant or the same. Thanks for the tip!!

[@JustinLMFT]

Doesn't surprise me, though I am unsure of the exact reason why. One of my therapy clients - in a shutdown - said she wanted to sit on the floor, so we did. She listened to her impulse, followed it, and this helped her to emerge from it.

[@lilyl5492]

@@JustinLMFT I do that too when overwhelmed. Lying down can feel like the only way to 'ground' sometimes, other times being propped up seated is ok. I think it's something to do babyhood survival parts /responses making the legs and hips/lower spine feel weak and ineffective. Core muscle support shutting down with the 'collapse' response. But full body contact is more supportive feeling in that moment...

[@lilmissjoodypoody]

The ground provides a strong sensory input of being grounded and stable. I can relate to this experience.

[@Tigergrrll]

@@JustinLMFT Irene Lyon incorporates Feldenkrais into her trauma work, and just today I heard her talk about getting down on the floor and allowing your body to move gently and that this can help you to come out of shutdown. So, she might have some answers regarding that.

[@lili3097]

Yeah this describes me. I’ve been fighting this for years bc of ptsd and anxiety. Which has resulted in depression.

[@klanderkal]

I going through this... unable to move. I have depression, it's so horrible. Im all alone.. and just don't move.

[@meganmcpherson3292]

Depression is a state of shutdown. The way out of it is mobilisation. So basically doing the things you are putting off will get you out of the depression.

[@klanderkal]

@@meganmcpherson3292 It's very difficult. To just do 1 of my activities... is hard.. and when doing them,... there is just no excitement or pleasure.. I will keep trying,.. but the motivation seems to be diminishing... im so upset over my foolishness that took my career job I loved away... ⛓️💔🥀

[@PatriciaGodboutArt]

Please take care of yourself, you are precious and worth it please!

[@klanderkal]

@PatriciaGodboutArt I've lost so much lately,.. after the foolish mistake I made,.. I lost my dream career job! That meant everything to me. My life was structured around my job. All my friends are city bus drivers too. My life was so personally shattering.. the stress and anxiety were too much. I got insomnia and couldn't sleep at all. The panic attacks were so often that I had a mental breakdown. I haven't recovered. I just stay in the apt. now, with no interest in life. I have also now anhedonic depression. My mental and physical health are declining.... but there is nothing I can do.... I can not get my job back. I can not stop the anxiety and the insomnia. I don't sleep anymore. I'm on another 4 days straight. Nothing works. I might get 1-2 hrs sometimes. All this, every day and night .... for 7 months. I just can't believe it.... I was so happy and healthy before. I loved living and was always so busy and happy.

[@sbdsinc8366]

I never knew or could relate to this until I experienced trauma and now I can. I was in my 50s when everything happened so later in life. Much courage to people going through shutdown and much patience and understanding to those lucky enough to be clueless.

[@JustinLMFT]

Thanks for the comment and kind words for others. :)

[@CrazyGamer-tm2jj]

I noticed i was able to feel sad but tears dont come out? I also feel tingling in the brain.

[@clementineforever]

The symptoms are exactly the shutdown of my body due to grief and crying day and night months and months after my son died last spring - I’ve almost died several time and body numb and could barely breathe and walk. Heart weak and have lost memory and so on. 😅 Couldn’t feel arms an legs. Just came across you after a search right now. Thank you 🙏 Will go through channel and find more info. ❤

[@clementineforever]

The difference I fought dying to be here for who I have Left. 😅 I basically lived to keep my son Alavert most his life. I lived for him and through him after his daddy died when he was one and a half. Also his little brother later. Finding who ya are is really really hard.😢

[@JustinLMFT]

You're very welcome. And I really hope my other content is helpful for you.

[@clementineforever]

@@JustinLMFT Thank You 🥰

[@amyrebeccaperez5240]

So sorry for your loss of your son💗🙏😥😔...We are never prepared to lose a loved one especially a child... it's not the proper order of things...my deepest empathy to you..."holding some of your pain in my heart"💗💗💗

[@amyrebeccaperez5240]

So sorry for your loss of your son😔😥😔..We are never ready to lose a loved one especially a child... it's not the proper order of things 💗💗💗

[@JoJo-sl7jt]

I recently went into a severe shutdown that is still coming and going. These describe it perfectly. It feels so isolating so hearing others experience is weirdly comforting. I hope we all get through this ❤

[@AzizA_incognito]

Wow ~ thank you so much for explaining my behaviour or lack of... Good to know I'm not alone in this state .... Cheers

[@JustinLMFT]

You're very welcome

[@mightymouse1005]

Unable to make decisions.

[@MissingScaffolding]

Very helpful normalizing some scary thought and feelings. I’ve been in an extended autistic burnout, into my 6th year, but I started recognizing shutdowns inside the larger burnout. I’ve been observing and experimenting. Staying in routine and attending medical appts helps me from completely detaching, also how I maintain income and stay housed. Also my dog!! He depends on me and loves routine.

[@sammantil6342]

This is so validating. It’s both a bit sad, but also relieving that so many people have the same reaction and that my brain is behaving in an expected way. At 7:10 one of the described emotions is “easily agitated or frustrated”. For me personally that will happen in the week prior to going into shutdown, and is one of the cues that tell me a shutdown is imminent. Once I come out of shutdown it’s like nothing ever happened and I’m happy again.

[@johnCjr4671]

Thanks Justin for your deep understanding of this complex trauma reaction . I think I’m making small progress but still get exhausted easily hopefully do to my Anxiety , Isolation and inactivity for months . At least I’m considering a comeback at this point ! 😊

[@Insidekimsworld]

Wow! This popped into my feed and just the right time. And I just thought that I had become allergic to my own company and the world had suddenly became entirely too people-y. “ A trauma response”, is what I hear when I explain how I feel.

[@JustinLMFT]

Yeah, that's what they call it. But shutdown exists in every one of us. I don't think it necessarily needs to stem from a specific traumatic event, which is usually what people mean.

[@perlefisker]

A curious example of the total loss of motivation is when I in a KZbin video was told to turn my head to one side, which I did. When I after thirty seconds was told to turn it to the other, I couldn't.

[@mr.melontoyou]

Thank you so much Justin, for this video. I didn’t even know it had a label. This is so much different to feeling lazy. I am mentally exhausted. Been through a lot. A lot! It’s all okay until it’s not. By making videos like this I can watch from a safe space and be more aware and have knowledge. And still get to spend time with people. But, not be around them. ❤

[@JustinLMFT]

You're welcome!

[@SPSHSP]

This was phenomenal and opportune timing. Having my professional dream dismantled with impunity and progressively ostracized from workplace bullying and subsequent mobbing I’ve been in a state of majority of those characteristics not to mention shortly after termination my therapist of 2 years (employed) by the organization casually informs me of going on leave for several months and hadn’t anticipated having someone fill in as she’d be available “as needed” and the colleague referred to at last minute decided to be available only as needed. Makes complete sense to be in deep freeze after years of dehumanizing disrespectful and dehumanizing treatment while holding the role of a healer and once out of the role not by choice your therapist effectively minimizes your chagrin as something to address later in year. That’s one hell of a message from the universe that you’ve been effectively cancelled from all attachments

[@2blackcatz426]

Hear you. I had a therapist for 9 years. She was claiming sessions for govt subsidy when i hadnt seen her. Tphen she ghosted me. I was crushed as really wobbly at the time. Yet l I ke u i had to laugh at that all being a major opportunity to deal with attachment issues ha ha. Even trained as a counsellor and after that l9st all belief in any maainstream therapy. But i started falling down the rabbithole and now have a govt. Funded trauma focussed therapist and been getting a heap of processing done. Yet am still here hiding out and self isolating

[@SPSHSP]

@@2blackcatz426 9 years and ghosted during catastrophic time? I can’t imagine, literally have no words given the mix of emotions that compounded that sudden loss but I guess the fraud oh wait… did you ever find out what happened? My patients are likely under the impression I ghosted them and my “colleagues” and staff of which none have made any attempt to checkin but u understand that in social psychology majority of the blatant abuse is executed directly from subconscious and a lot of denial and projection to be able to live with the abuse inflicted. I digress, the insurance fraud had me wonder if her ghosting was because she got arrested!

[@SPSHSP]

@@2blackcatz426 where we’re at today with psychology is equivalent to medicine in the Middle Ages so I’ve always held a low bar for psychology, there are so many approaches and complexities such as perspective the avoidant attachment or narcissism etc. reconnected with said therapist and she didn’t seem phased just spoke about it in a very void of emotion way like a logistical snafu.

[@barbaraalbert5600]

Thank you so much for this. Hearing there are others, in my head i understand im not alone. My heart goes out 💔🕊️

[@TammyOne-rd9ng]

You make it sound so easy to reconnect with people

[@JustinLMFT]

sounds easy. not easy to do.

[@Rebecca0010]

I understand the floaty head sensation.

[@too_tired_for_this]

This is so interesting. I experience shutdown a lot, and in particular, I’ve been in and out of shutdown for the last month or so. It’s so hard.

[@IkamiLog]

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.

[@e.s.l.1083]

This overwhelmed me - @ 'reconnection' (sensation wise, i want to thank you for this keen unpleasantness - which sounds odd to say but, awareness is POWERFUL) Its a donkey kick - so one supposes, theirs 'A Donkey'. My breath is FULL with BREATHLESSNESS - how vercerally, poetic

[@suzieloveday6451]

Thank you Justin, your work goes from strength to strength😊

[@JustinLMFT]

I appreciate that! And you're welcome :)

[@BackyardButcher]

This is very interesting. I lost my father 2 years ago. My family was so tight-knit, he was my hero and best friend. When he passed, I was feeling things I never knew existed and it was horrifying.. I started doing something that I thought I would never do in a million years. I started using drugs. I have not been out buying fentanyl heroin or anything like that, but I do have people that will sell me their prescription pills. And it seems like if I can just get myself obliterated enough, I could forget about everything. This of course is led to a vicious cycle. I am just now at the point where I realized that I can't keep doing this. I've had depersonalization, delerealization, existential trauma.. so instead of dealing with the pain, I numb it. Now I am a full-on addict that is slowly losing everything.. a high paying career, a great husband, a family shattered that was once tighter than the Gordian Knot... I am in such a state of despair right now and really have no idea what to do or where to turn

[@JulietCrowson]

God is here all the time for all of us Please reach out and pray to Him Rest in God who lives us so much unconditionally. Pray for forgiveness for sin/what you've done wrong and He always helps. God removes pain of all kinds. He is helping me at the moment Sending you prayers from England Juliet 🙏✝️

[@Datb2]

I’ll never know happiness again

[@DaisyDay.-pm2cf]

Yes, you will. I came out of it, after some years. One step at a time.

[@simseven4967]

Dpdr in shutdown is creepy

[@miked5487]

Disconnected or also known as Depersonalisation/Derealisation Disorder.. Hands up if this is you?

[@LorenasChesed1beads]

Could this be why I've isolated for so long and lost 20lbs? Sleep so much?

[@LorenasChesed1beads]

Part 2 I just thought is was fatigue syndrome.

[@dawnmarieslaght6406]

I want to erase my very existence, even my name or any memory of myself. Looking to legally change my name to worthless nobody.

[@mightymouse1005]

Oh my friend, NO, you have a purpose and are so valuable. Please don't feel like you don't matter or should be here. If you were here, I would listen and understand you and hug you.

[@Datb2]

I’m def going thru this but I have no one to vent to about it and it’s actually he’ll just want everything to end

[@psychoanalyst9651]

So sad that emotionally wounded people have to pay for friendship with a therapist.

[@vrutti3457]

New subscriber. I look forward to watching your other videos. I'm grateful the algorithm directed me to this video today. I have adult-onset idiopathic Harlequin syndrome. It's mostly under control unless I overexert myself physically, get overheated, or experience a strong emotion. I can relate to some of the participants' thoughts and feelings.

[@JustinLMFT]

Welcome aboard!

[@mightymouse1005]

In the words of Pink Floyd "Comfortably Numb"

[@JustinLMFT]

Nice one. Those words just took on a different meaning.

[@ImaginarySusan]

My thoughts exactly!... AND my forever-favorite band! I'm 60 also! Get GROUNDING ! XO

[@TarenWood]

This was video was amazingly helpful, thanks Justin.

[@JustinLMFT]

Yay! And you're welcome :)

[@nattamused9074]

My mother has a very serious case of this. She has spent many months at a time just in her recliner. She’ll only get up to use the bathroom and shower (not often enough). She’s deeply shut down. She has spent so many years seeking help from Dr.s, and so obviously, she’s been diagnosed with just about everything at one time or another, and has been prescribed everything you can imagine. She almost never interacts with anyone except my Dad and Brother who live with her. And when she does (extremely rarely) see other people, she usually says and does things to cause a lot of trouble and try to push people away. Some people blame her, because they think it’s her choice, and she’s responsible for her actions. But I believe she can’t help it. I have had seasons like this myself, not quite as severe as her, because I still have kids, and I have to get up and go through the motions. But I do sympathize with mom and don’t believe her behavior is something she can simply change.

[@JustinLMFT]

Yeah, coming out of shutdown is not simply a choice. However, we can do small things to help ourselves. Sometimes very small things.

[@whatsupchannel3047]

Walking through toffee ! Spend all my time doing whats needed to survive. I know very well that i could potentially leave this world if i dont walk through the toffee ! Just want to be alone !

[@PatriciaGodboutArt]

Floating sounds great.

[@queenofwands111]

Thank you, this is very helpful! I have a question: when I am in shutdown I think I don't have any energy for doing anything that would reconnect me to myself or the world or others and bring me out of shutdown. When you say "story follows state" then this belief might be wrong and just be a product of the shutdown state? So I might change the belief to "I can leave the shutdown state and then energy comes back"? Do you know what I mean?

[@JustinLMFT]

Yep, I know what you mean. Our stories can be wrong, yes. I find it more helpful to focus on changing the state versus the story. Altering thoughts is very difficult, as they come from the state. If one can anchor into the present moment, thoughts will change.

[@dianegriffiths4992]

thanku for th confirmation...def can relate...🙏🩵

[@spocksdaughter9641]

OK yes informed I have joined. Suggest networking yourself to Merogenomics*. Will see how you intergrate biology like ADHD CPSTD. I attemp to utilise improving my ATP with extremely cautious protection of my gut biome. Emerging science= understanding direct brain influence of gut microbes. Clean filters: water oxygen sleep Harder than Hell but does wk imo

[@ArtyAntics]

The only thing I didn’t connect to was using senses to reconnect because sensory issues make me go into shutdown. So it has the opposite effect on me. Breathing makes me float out of my body. I think it’s because I’m autistic 🤔

[@JustinLMFT]

It's helped clients of mine to identify one sense that can utilize. And then, identify something with that one sense that feels better than not. One of my highly dissociative clients said she liked the feel of a certain blanket. That was the starting point. As she accessed more safety, we expanded from there.

[@Waves353]

I way prefer shut down, although it’s scary, at least it’s a break in the mind and body I’m highly activated otherwise which is a lot more dangerous to me. Neither is conducive to connection

[@abella11]

Hi Justin, have u come across people experiencing physical symptoms? i try exercising or doing light or slow exercises but i cant activate my muscles which sounds really bizarre, because it is. it's like the muscle tone wont activate at all. and my breathing muscles feel weak at all times as well, the rhythm is off. i have a lisp. all my muscles feel completely weak its so bizarre. and the complete absence of stress and muscle tension. these symptoms dont come and go but are there all the time

[@JustinLMFT]

I can't tell you the source of what you're experiencing. But the Polyvagal states show up physically, yes. Flight and fight result in increased heart rate, for example. Shutdown can lead to heaviness and weakness.

[@mightymouse1005]

I have "pins and needles " in legs and feet....lots of physical symptoms. No physical cause that doctor can find

[@micheletorok3838]

The other top emotion was "numb" on the chart, not alone

[@JustinLMFT]

was it??? oops!

[@madea5332]

Can you do the same for freeze?

[@JustinLMFT]

I may expand the survey to the other Polyvagal states in the future. Or make one for each state?

[@laceybluecat5723]

could we all be ascending to next level/new world?

[@therapyhouse4164]

You're assuming that people have a good awareness of their cognitions when in a shutdown state. Per my experience they go into automatic thoughts that have already been patterned and may not have to do with the present at all.

[@Malekfahad420]

Hey Justin, really nice video ! I was wondering if I could help you with Best Quality Editing in your videos better than your Editor with good pricing and also make a highly engaging Thumbnail which will help your videos to reach to a wider audience ? Pls let me know what do you think ?

[@lifeisbeautiful7047]

The problem is that most people who suffer from this aren't aware of it

[@JustinLMFT]

Yep. Instead, they sadly remain stuck and repeat unhelpful attempts to feel better.

[@kimmullins337]

Just wondering if u can answer a question I've been wondering about. Why when I cry do I get the uncontrollable need to yawn?

[@JustinLMFT]

Laughter, yawning, and crying often accompany each other. I understand them as the body's attempts to self-regulate, release stuck defensive activation, and get needed oxygen. I tell my clients to trust their body's attempts to self-regulate and part of that is yawning.

[@livelystones7773]

@@JustinLMFT very interesting because I tend to sigh alot during these episodes.

[@skovgaard79]

Wow

[@moirachapman8406]

Or,....we are here, because we are just curious..

[@JustinLMFT]

Welcome!

[@RicharFarr]

I'm here to say NO MORE INFLUENCERS!!! Let the influencers eat cake

[@kidwolfman]

You should say shutdown more.

[@JustinLMFT]

roger that.

[@mavenbraun5701]

I'm excited for my next sexy, creative photoshoot.

[@jeanaallison7236]

NEW subscriber ❤ Thank you ❤️‍🩹

[@JustinLMFT]

Thanks for subbing!

[@Jennifer-bw7ku]

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.