Ultimate Guide to Healing Dorsal Vagal Shutdown of Polyvagal Theory (SNB 208)

It's possible to live with more connection, energy, and hope in life. Yes, living without being in a dominant Polyvagal shutdown is possible. Life without depression is possible. I pull from my years of working as a therapist and my Polyvagal Theory knowledge to give you the major bullet points of recovering from a chronic shutdown.
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🔹 Validation - • What Validation is and...
🔹 Normalization - • Emotional Normalizatio...
🔹 Give permission - • How to Give Yourself P...
🔹 Polyvagal 101 podcast episodes - player.captivate.fm/collectio...
🔹I'd love your feedback! - docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...
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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).
#dorsalvagalshutdown #polyvagaltheory #depression

[@NatalieNicole99]

I feel like I’ve been in shut down for many years- and relief never comes. I prefer to always be alone.

[@michaelgarrow3239]

I wish you well.

[@aartivedi6889]

I don't hi k he understands people so have karma with execution repetitive karma like one work they go to so they r overly priced things or wrongly sold stuff or stuff not easily found hence the sim lighting etc ..there is always a lapse in every study i aee

[@sionyevans]

let nature in if no one else...

[@omittapir5986]

Same here.... But I'm very satisfied with life, I just love my own company mostly..

[@mischievousmuffin5568]

same. Any thing you found thats working?

[@cfkay3727]

0:00 - Introduction 1:43 - What is a shutdown? 3:24 - How do I come out of shutdown? 8:00 - Step 1a: Validate 9:10 - Step 1b: Normalize 9:40 - Step 1c: Give Permission 10:48 - Step 2: Find safety while in shutdown 17:58 - Step 3: Work on vegal break strength (ongoing) 19:36 - Step 4: Prepare for sympathetic energy return

[@atokwamena3756]

Thank you

[@aartivedi6889]

Not understand able

[@cfkay3727]

@@aartivedi6889 you should probably watch the video then

[@clarksondarling]

I feel like being overweight itself is a trauma I am surviving and is causing more triggers again and again. I have been imprisoned and unable to be free for 30 years. It has definitely traumatized me. Along with the childhood with emotionally immature parents and my son's suicide at age 11 has created a perfect storm of devastation. I wish there was somewhere to go to do extensive work to help me. Right now it seems like I am finding answers only online

[@fletchf.fletch8242]

Sorry for your struggles! I hope you can find some peace at some point! 🙏

[@pindlelou]

So sorry you've had to go through all of that. I hope you can find help, you deserve it friend.

[@xbemos]

I agree fully. I was happy ish and confident when I had control of my body and health. As a woman whose had kids and body has changed its traumatic. I is coupled w problems w family or relationships surrounding the mother during that change. One way or other you have a great point

[@mariahwaring4624]

OMG mama, I am truly sorry for such a devastating loss. How can people help someone in your situation?

[@clarksondarling]

@@mariahwaring4624 I think everyone needs to knowing about toxic Shame healing like a teacher like Tim Fletcher

[@DanielaRosenrot]

Sensory overlead and a tendency to oversleep in my case. I'm very introverted and I love the night, cozy things and nature photography, but I also love color therapy with LED lamps that can change color.

[@phoenixLeoRising333]

I literally just turned on a led light purple. Very soothing is night time my favorite time as well as before sunrise. I’m learning about shutdown now.

[@collateral7925]

Makes a lot of sense that when moving 'up' and out of the shutdown you come in the sympathic activity and a fight response. I actually was enranged often by something minor, then afterwards going back to feeling like an empty shell. I knew I had to channel this disproportionate energy somehow and found a good way to do that in pulling sprints on a bicycle and martial arts (kickboxing). Just to get the raw activation out. If you supress it, it just comes back at a different moment. After some time I was able to regulate my emotions again in a normal way and slowly recovered. For the people who are just 'in it': it may seem you are broken beyond repair and something fundamenrally changed inside of you, but you can definitly go back to normal (albeit wiser). Just listen to your true instincts and find something which is a release and let the way of releasing also change over time if necessary.

[@JustinLMFT]

I love you left a bit of helpful advice for those looking for it. Thank you!

[@greenentrepreneurs]

Inspiring & generous - thsnk you. 🎉

[@mollyrea6681]

This is starting to fall into place for me and makes sense to what iv been going through in my life for a long while 💞🙌🤔

[@mindovermovement6401]

❤❤❤

[@mindovermovement6401]

Jus was planning to join kickboxing

[@fatuusdottore]

Thank you for this and don't listen to the haters about the ads. Obviously, you need to put food on the table, and people can get YT premium if they don't want to deal with ads. Personally, I get a lot more value from YT premium than Netflix, Hulu, etc.

[@bumblebob5979]

The sole fact you call ad complainers, haters.. How mature are you? 3 yrs old?

[@Wiggy8]

Absolutely! I subscribe to YT premium instead of movie streaming channels. Ads and corporations who display them are meant to manipulate the viewer to buy their product, often using psychological principles to do so. 7:48 Those watching a video like this are vulnerable emotionally, and should not be shamed for being vulnerable. Congratulations to you that you are strong enough to not be impacted by ads….right?

[@AngieF8]

I agree I have been a KZbin premium member for about 3 years and it's definitely worth the price if you can afford it which $10 a month should be doable for most people who already own a phone.

[@PeaceIsYeshua]

💯%!! I pay $15/month USD. 🇺🇸 It’s worth it, as I use this subscription more than any other, and I love not having the commercials.

[@PeaceIsYeshua]

@@AngieF8 Mine was $10 a month for the longest time but recently jumped to $15. I remember something about being grandfathered in with the $10 price, but I guess they recently changed that. :/

[@brightsky5586]

Thank you for the breakdown and these steps you've mentioned. Ive been in major shutdown mode for the last 7 months. I cant leave the house, check my mail, and even take a shower. Its never been this bad before. It doesnt help living in an apartment where people are everywhere. No privacy! 😢

[@Kinteresting]

This is helpful thank you! Going to look into the safety thing a bit more. I am now understanding that Ive (possibly background of perfectionism/criticism) taken a REALLY long time to validate, seek support in safe people or to stop hiding what I have been going through. Also alternating between sitting in shame/distraction or unhealthy coping mechanisms, and then when I have made any progress… tend to push it too quickly, reengage with super triggering things and/or shame myself for not being ‘better’ or being able to rebuild my entire life in a week. After 5 years of massive external trauma and life experiences that also brought up /re-visited for the first time as an adult… childhood trauma and abuse etc. What I finally noticed this year (and this resonates with some of this content) that the MOST healing thing was to finally accept what was happening. To tell other people about it and not sugar coat it. To ask for help, as in, I literally can’t function and I need help. Also to be vocal about my struggles. Even to the point of if a checkout person at target asks me something I will straight up be like, I am going through a depressive episode right now so I need some help with the self checkout. Which I know sounds ridiculous but the shocking amount of even strangers, my landlord, neighbors, people I meet on the street that have stepped in with small or larger gestures that remind me that I am worth being here. That there are others going through similar things.. to stop ‘masking’ or to even say I can’t talk right now because I am isolating (even if I have energy to do so). And to debunk this bullshit persona I have put on my entire life as someone who has eveything ‘together’ is what has helped me actually start to FEEL again. It is like the validation that I never had, and had never given myself. And I don’t care how extreme or how much of a weak person or ‘victim’ I sound like because I’m not- I’m someone who has been through a LOT. And I deserve support and love and help. That’s it. Through this process over the past year, I have started to feel more myself again. I am still up and down and needing to clean my environment and build more daily tasks and not just be at home not functioning then going out and being ‘normal’ .. I still have a road ahead of me. But it is amazing the level of internal shift that has occurred the more I stopped fighting and started embracing or even legit shamelessly ‘wearing’ this pain on the outside. I stopped trying. Ironically that has helped me believe again.

[@margitkremer5799]

I have all the symptoms except for the sleep. Instead I have chronic insomnia. I recently got laid off from my job and I am absolutely frozen😢.

[@michellecuadra4445]

I just had a private conversation on FB messenger where I said to my friend that I can barely lift my hand and it's almost like my body is shutting down. I swear they're spying on us...but I'm not a conspiracy theorist so I'll stop there. In reality I'm glad this showed on my feed. I have a doctor appt tomorrow and I couldn't figure out how to word this issue. Thank you.

[@JustinLMFT]

You're welcome... and yeah, that's creepy. It's not a conspiracy. It's a thing.

[@biancasinclair.]

Good luck with your doctors appointment. I'm looking to book one myself after living in shutdown for many years x

[@lisalynch629]

Yep, happening

[@DB-ne7ki]

Excellent. With regulated vagal and boundaries...then power has compassion and empathy....this is really good stuff. These past few years the stress was/is unrelenting!!!

[@NovaSMHeilmann]

Your video popped up all of a sudden and I'm glad I watched your videos 😀 I cried the second you said there is a reason for being in a shutting down state 😳 It felt like I was validating the state I'm in ❤️

[@MichelleGarcia-fg2xq]

I've only watched the 1st minutes so far and I stared to cry. Thank you 😊

[@witchhazel8583]

I just couldnt scroll further.....I really advice to find a flower essence therapist! Flower essences Will help you to find the strength and peace within . It really works .I have done it. And now I am Bach flower therapist and help others. There are so many flower therapists out there to help you. Just have an open mind. I have helped people being able to leave their comfort zone for what ever reason. And even people with HSP , autism.... Good luck . The only thing is to have an open mknd and let nature help. If someone is on medication ,NO problem....❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@roberthaggard7758]

Thanks for sharing Justin! I've been on a long healing journey. It wasn't until 11 months at a Zen Monastery that I had one of my first experiences coming out of the shutdown state. My mindfulness practice mixed with somatic practices has really helped me. It's been intense bringing things up and my body is very tired. Thanks for sharing more tools with me.

[@JustinLMFT]

You're welcome!

[@azaleaslightsage1271]

This is awesome, I love the way you keep the explanations short but tell us about your more indepth videos for deeper exploration, & the way you explained it so people can easily understand it & themselves alot easier & better, you are one of the most genuine teachers/guides ive seen & heard, love how you dont continuously promote yourself during the teachings as many others do. BRAVO to you Sir 👏 🙌 ❤

[@JustinLMFT]

Wow thank you!

[@lorrainereddy9914]

Just watched a clip on Vagus nerve block injection by a doctor in Canada which is supposed to elevate parasympathetic nervous system.

[@Heyu7her3]

I'm currently experiencing shut down, & rainy/ ovrrcast days are THE WORST!!! It's like herding cats to get myself out the house & to my in-patient program, then difficult to stay engaged. Doesn't help that it's been pretty un-spring-like here in the midwest... 🤯

[@brianhaff2225]

Very technical very pragmatic congratulations Seeya

[@melmel8907]

Super helpful. Makes so much sense to me. 5 weeks of intense outpatient therapy and nobody talked about these steps or feelings I felt I needed. Thank you soo much.

[@JustinLMFT]

You're very welcome. :)

[@mariachatzakou3037]

Wow, wow, wow… The most exact way of explaining the state I have been in for the last three years, changing from shutdown to fight every days or weeks, not knowing what to make out of it, what it means, where it is coming from. I thought it as a coming and going of depression that only I am experiencing. It is so relieving to hear it’s a common experience after trauma and how creating safety may help. I will treasure this and work on it. Thank you🙏🏻

[@johnCjr4671]

Im totally in either Shut down of freeze do to Multiple external traumas . This may be an introverts way of dealing with unmanageable circumstances , unfortunately social anxiety is increased so meaningful social connections are very difficult at this time ! Thanks for your logical understanding of this topic ! Most Docs just put people on pharmaceuticals to treat their symptoms , Lame ,western , profit based medicine . 😅

[@Lindseyro]

Agree Agree Agree! Everything u said is 100% me! I literally get sooo annoyed when my love ones(like almost all of them) continue to harass me with, "u NEED to go see and talk to a doctor!" "U need to get put on some type of medicine!" "There are sooo many to choose from and I'm sure there is a right 1 that can be prescribed to you!!" Ughhhh

[@dakotapeters5654]

Solitude is soulful, and I find solice in it, which used to be the opposite for me.

[@muzikelektronik]

OMG... I have been suffering from this since 2017 and all doctors and professors and tests etc think it (extreme heavy apathy also known as abulia or loss of will, say it's trauma related). But it sometimes gets slightly better for maybe a week or two or untill a slight unexpected thing comes along and I get back into that state . But not because I choose to (I think anyway) like a subconscious thing. Could this be what I'm experiencing, I know my disability and symptoms but this description is so exact.i am taking stimulants for it, and they help a bit sometimes but I don't go outside, not even I'm my garden and I live near the ocean. Trauma was in 2013 heavy symptoms got worse since 2017 till now, and I'm trying or I have been. It sounds very familiar, this description.,

[@friendoblu]

wow! thank you so much for sharing your knowledge in a sense that seems like you've experienced it. I've read about polyvagal theory and tried some exercises. Your detailed, organized, experiential explanation is so helpful, as I navigate burnout. I really appreciate it!

[@JustinLMFT]

you're very welcome

[@valtterihiltunen5700]

I've been figuring this out myself through chakra work, definitely focusing on safety of my body has made a huge difference, and also shedding away excess energy, feeling the feels, what made me think my unsafetyness was vagal related was my overactivity, which I read somewhere was a thing with a shutdown vagal nerve. Seems like connecting with emotions through old hobbies like videogames has allowed my belly area to feel more warm with emotion and perhaps that's reactivating the nerve. Now I think I need to be aware of my belly area more and listen to the feels there instead of panicking and going into overdo overthink mode. I've been belly breathing which seems to be working at keeping me feel safe. Little by little I'm gaining power but fight mode comes easily and I might get lost in it but I think I hadn't built adequate safety. This content speaks to me, Thank you very much. This process takes great patience but I encourage everyone it this, you can find yourself again!

[@maggiedoja]

Woah how validating- thank you for your work, it could and should be taught to everyone

[@AE-ff3wl]

Thank you so much for this. I can say that these these tactics truly work. I've came out of it before basically doing the same things. It truly works. Now navigating through it again.

[@lukecarey613]

Very interesting.

[@Sadbuttrue-ThatSwedishGirl]

Thank you so much!❤️🙏

[@JustinLMFT]

You’re super welcome!

[@TheGalilee416]

This was great thank you so much

[@JustinLMFT]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@michaelvenus2455]

Thank you .

[@JustinLMFT]

You are welcome!

[@Ydce1891]

I just came across your page and i subscribed as soon as I finished this video. Such incredible information and I feel like I got so much out of this. Can’t wait to watch more ❤

[@JustinLMFT]

Welcome aboard!

[@suzieloveday6451]

Fabulous work and thank you so much🙏

[@JustinLMFT]

My pleasure 😊

[@lumpyrex007]

Very good stuff here!

[@JustinLMFT]

Thanks for listening :)

[@miamedina1419]

A great big thank you to you Justin and your channel! I appreciate the knowledge it will help me tremendously with having words to explain my thoughts when I meet with my new medical providers. I am now a new subscriber and I have many people that your information will be helpful. Thank you for being you! 🙏🙏💯

[@JustinLMFT]

Thanks for the lovely comment and for subscribing!

[@marlaadamson1633]

Thank you

[@JustinLMFT]

You're welcome

[@bobbellendovich6825]

Never had to use window shades in the Winter, usually have issues with not enough light. Shutdown in December, all windows covered. Working thru it.

[@lisedauphinais5024]

Amazing podcast. Thank you so much. There's a lot of information about understanding our states, but not so much about how to come out of it. Your video is extremely helpful. Thank you so much.

[@JustinLMFT]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp2oeYiCesuMntU

[@witchhazel8583]

So many different stores!!! A good thing to do,that Will always help... Find a Bach flower essence therapist or some other flower therapist, there are so many clever ones in Canada and the rest of USA and other countries. You Will just do a test and you Will get the personal blen and can really start your healing Journey. I promise that it will make a difference for the person trying it. It works on cats,dogs,horses,humans,plants.... I have helped people with anxiety, depression,fear and suicidal thoughts and everyone are now over worst threshhold and can begin with other helpful holistic treatments. And flower essences can be taken even If someone is on medication..... My motto is: it does not matter what you do as long as it helps!! Bless you all, good luck!

[@tinieblasabismos9859]

_chronic shutdown is overwhelming but it is what it is fam, thanks for the vid 👋_

[@JustinLMFT]

You're absolutely welcome

[@amiyang2844]

Helpful ❤❤❤❤❤

[@JustinLMFT]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kathleencochrane9698]

Were you deliberately facing a different camera? I would love to see this video with your face facing the audience! This information is invaluable and I will be watching this video more than once.

[@JustinLMFT]

I was looking at my notes. I used to just record this podcast on video without taking it seriously. I've started being more deliberate about my camera facing in all newer videos. :)

[@earthwindfireable]

Why would this bother you? Personally, I don't need a podcaster/therapist staring at me ... especially when they're dealing with people such as myself who's in shutdown.

[@JustinLMFT]

I'm surprised too, but it's a question/comment that others have left too. I assume people feel more connection with me when I look at the camera. Makes sense.

[@tracysimon7972]

@@earthwindfireable I think maybe it makes the experience a little more personal? Idk, just an opinion. It doesn't bother me.

[@ellenpederson-lewis8557]

I prefer some eye contact with the camera. More personal and connected.

[@spanky541]

For me it is because of lose, and the fact that being and experiencing life as a 'father' had come to the end of its journey. Everything else was always so easy to fight through. Not this tho Love u baby girl... I still look for u everywhere.

[@JustinLMFT]

I'm a Dad. Couldn't imagine. I hope you find my work a helpful resource for yourself.

[@fightington]

20 yrs of suffering this and not knowing what it was until now - what could i possibly say to you for giving me this?

[@JustinLMFT]

A "thank you" is more than enough if you must say something; and a happy and pre-emptive "You're very welcome" in return. Glad it's helpful for you!

[@mohanSai-cz1fc]

Please do practice meditation it helped me lot to come out of soo bad shutdown,your problem could be lack of mindfulness,sir please promote meditation . I saved myself from dying because of it. Please try it once try to meditate even if you cant

[@angelamayberry1504]

Been going into shut down stages since middle school. Actively in shut down. I can’t stand human voices. Can’t stand being in my house. Can’t stand being touched by people. I feel their sympathy toward my situation and it amplifies my feelings.

[@TuesdaysMusica]

I’m so sorry, I know how you feel. Try deep breathing and being alone for awhile

[@thecognitivedissonant3606]

Whoa, 30 seconds into it and you're talking my language 😳 Sounds like I'd better listen up!

[@JustinLMFT]

Hope it was helpful :)

[@clarksondarling]

I havent been able to take care of myself, work, clean, organize, or any other human things, for years. I dont generally accept that its ok. I generally feel that im lucky i have someone to take care of me or i wud be on the streets. Which makes me feel failure qnd shame, but to a much less degree than i was when i was fully shut down all the way when i didnt leave bed for the four years. If i had a lot of money i know i cud get the help i need to really deal with this. I feel like i need to be at the beach and alone and massage and somatic exercise and extensive therapy. But i guess i can tey to figure this out for ten years lol ugh

[@postmodernerkindergartner960]

I really don't find safety from observing my envrionment, guess this is also from having experiences with quite severe derealizatiopn episodes which frightened the sh*t out of me. But i'll try to safely reconnect with my surroundings as good as possible.

[@andybreedlove]

Same - been in dp/dr and bedridden with shutdown for 18 months. Nothing really reconnects me yet, external or internal.. will get there tho 💪🏼🕊️

[@battlehymnoftheempath3610]

I'm curious to know what you think of the Stellate Ganglion Block procedure. It resets the nervous system to a pretrauma state.

[@lorrainereddy9914]

Me too. Need to get info on this

[@Sycophantichallenger]

Man... there are some things in my heart which i hate, and if I "accept" those things in me, then what does it say about me? That i am unrepentantly evil? At which point, why bother caring about anything, since everything in my heart brings only pain. Better to just kill any sense of hope. Better to just realize that i will never be okay with myself and give up. It is better than continuing to suffer.

[@JustinLMFT]

To me, it says one has self-compassion if they can "accept" everything inside of them. "Accept" does not mean you're okay with it or don't want to change it. "Accept" could mean acknowledging the temporary state of things. It could also mean understanding the limitations one has for now. But this does not preclude changing yourself.

[@MarSarFishin-ws7qk]

Is that seinfeld back there?! I found seasons 1-3 at a resale shop for 4 bucks each for the two box sets(one was a 2 season combo).. I had a 50 dollar credit there from bringing in some old junk, so they were pretty much free. I'm on the lookout for the next 3 seasons without having to make an online order. I wanna get'em the old fashioned way. 😉

[@JustinLMFT]

It’s the Seinfeld trivia board game 😁 I love Seinfeld!

[@bzmama3162]

I had to strip myself down to my core and there I found that I had a skewed understanding of love and trust; trust being the big issue. So now I’m learning to trust, the right way, but I don’t feel safe in that trust yet. I guess it takes time.

[@sweetlaughter78]

This video has been eye-opening! I want to read more about this. I think I've been in this state since a family member was murdered. I came out, and felt aggressive, and didn't understand why. I recently started medications because it was that bad. Do you think starting medications in the fight or flight state can be helpful?

[@JustinLMFT]

I'm glad the information is helpful. I can't comment on meds; that's a psychiatric thing.

[@tammyrobinson1613]

My therapist doesn't believe in meds except, and unless it's the only option, and then for a short time, just yo get over the hump. Personally, I'd be concerned about my body starting to need them, and getting off certain is not easy! I do take herbal remedies for anxiety This may, or may not, be helpful for you. I just thought I'd share personal experience, and things I've learned. Best wishes

[@23angelpie]

I like your therapist view if meds. Wish more felt that way

[@brandymoreno382]

I’m new to all this. But I believe Covid shut me down 2 years ago. I now have Gastoparisis because of it. Not just the stress of it but catching the virus itself. And now got Covid 3 weeks ago and have a rapid heartbeat. Doc says she sees that a lot. So for whatever reason, according to the cardiologist, my body’s autonomic or parasympathetic nervous is out of whack and things aren’t working correctly. Do these things u teach apply to helping my body heal from these issues?

[@JustinLMFT]

I didn't create my system for medical issues. It's more for traumatic life contexts which affect the nervous system. I'm sure Polyvagal Theory may have something to say about medical issues, but I don't know enough about that at all to comment.

[@madreyad6573]

Ive found your videos helpful. Ty. I hope ul allow me a little constructive criticism. I think ur product and following may dramatically increase if you reduce the ramble. I think you could probably deliver the same info in 3min without rushing. For example we're well past the 8minute mark before we hear the 1st word about Step 1a.

[@JustinLMFT]

I truly appreciate the tips. I want to get to things faster, but then I also want to consider people that are brand new to the content. Plus there's the intro and the disclaimer. So yeah, I get it. Thank you for the truly constructive feedback!

[@marycurrin911]

@JustinLMFT I like it the way it is.

[@clarksondarling]

It has helped me to find iut that shut down exists tho. I just thought all these decades i have just been a person who was hiding that i was an insane loser

[@clarksondarling]

Do u think my 6 or 7 panick attacks i started having a few months ago was the start of coming out of shut down? Four years if just shame guilt regret self harred and grief...then panick attacks

[@mischievousmuffin5568]

is there a group where we can work on this plague? I need a workshop but doing shit in groups seems impossible for me. Idk what to do

[@capgains]

Stella ganglion block upload por favor

[@andrisstamers8915]

Does your safety anchors course cover boundaries, vulnerability etc?

[@JustinLMFT]

Not specifically, no. It's all about self-regulation. Effective self-regulation may lead to healthier boundaries and vulnerability.

[@Karen-kc8om]

how long do you call normal and shutdown because I’ve been in shutdown for 15 years now I have lost all my 50s and I am now 65. I couldn’t cope with what was happening to my children that were young adults and an ex that put me in hospital and damaged me my story is deep. My son went to prison for killing somebody. My two girls died 11 years apart. I lost my father. I’ve had it this time last year I lost my oldest daughter who I love dearly, and I am afraid of the outside world I don’t like people coming to the house, I don’t like leaving my bedroom I don’t like being downstairs. I’ve lost all interest in the house I’ve become ill I’ve lost 11th stone I don’t know how to change.

[@JustinLMFT]

Shutdown can go on for years and years. It’s intended to be brief on a biological, evolutionary level. But humans potentially stay stuck in shutdown for long periods of time.

[@petronellakayanan5160]

My heart goes out to you. 😢

[@marcushuffman5262]

Does anxiety and major panic attacks cause this shutdown as well? That’s what I’m suffering from and I seen that shutdown causing dissociation/ Depersonalization/ Derealization.

[@JustinLMFT]

Anxiety comes from flight activation. Panic attacks come from freeze (which is flight + shutdown).

[@miked5487]

yeh freeze shutdown and dissociation dpdr are connected i believe. Ive been going through this for 2 years

[@andybreedlove]

@@miked5487same 18 months very badly… but we get there in the end 💪🏼

[@bradslocum9643]

How do I find the other episodes on this subject 101 through 109

[@JustinLMFT]

Here you go - player.captivate.fm/collection/cce134e7-1550-4d33-8e56-738d344c63b0

[@beverlyparnell1408]

long story short my vagal nerve has been damaged twice. i need serious help.

[@beverlyparnell1408]

Doctors need to learn how the vagues nervous responses to the whole nervous system. Ty

[@kristenlangdon4229]

Im at step 2 - how long will it take? I was in fivht or flight for years and one bad drug experience pushed me into dpdr depersonalizaton. Now im just numb and emotionally shallow

[@JustinLMFT]

It takes potentially a long time to come out of shutdown. Typically it’s a build up of small victories.

[@kristenlangdon4229]

@@JustinLMFT I'm worried I'll never come back. And I don't have years and years to wait, this is completely debillitating. I just don't really know where to go from here

[@Yolozxm]

@@kristenlangdon4229how are you doing now?

[@_brandonkeith-te5oj]

So what kind of therapist would I look for that would work on SHUT DOWN because I'm looking and having a difficult time finding someone. Thank you so much if you get to my comment.

[@JustinLMFT]

Someone that’s able to work on shutdown is specifically a Polyvagal-informed therapist or a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. That’s where I’d start.

[@_brandonkeith-te5oj]

​@@JustinLMFTthanks

[@phoenixLeoRising333]

@@JustinLMFTThank you

[@sofie1065]

Is there any connection with derealisation? Because that is what I have. Unfortunately one of the symptoms is lack of concentration so I cannot study whether there is a link myself. I am not kidding, I very much want to get out of whatever state it is I am in. So would like to know: is it worth it to study this podcast with the little energy I have available now?

[@JustinLMFT]

I think shutdown is connected to depersonalization and derealization, yes. Disconnection from the self, others, and reality. I personally believe my podcast is worth the time and energy :) I hope you find it helpful.

[@sofie1065]

@@JustinLMFT Thank you so much for taking the time to answer. Was getting sort of desperate looking for clues and not being able to think clearly. Fortunately I can see a psychiatrist th8s week as well, so maybe there is a light at the end of this tunnel.

[@LofiMagick69]

What if you’re in and unsafe environment? And you can’t leave?

[@JustinLMFT]

Sadly, exiting shutdown is going to be much much more difficult. We need literal environmental and interpersonal safety. It’s not impossible, as people escape from horrible situations, requiring they exit shutdown. But it’s much more difficult.

[@healingwisdomarts]

what if you can never feel/ be safe ?

[@JustinLMFT]

Start with the external environment using the senses.

[@arulmathic]

I'm in india. Is it possible for me to consult you sir?

[@JustinLMFT]

You can email me here - [e-mail]

[@dougbenton8767]

I’m at work so obviously I haven’t shut down

[@travelchannel304]

What is this? Is that as in "not motivated " ?

[@JustinLMFT]

Not sure what you're referring to, but shutdown feels like a lack of motivation amongst other things.

[@alanagorski7339]

1:26

[@sharonendler1467]

The freaky shirt is certainly not calming for those of us with severe CPTSD, multiple concussions and pituitary damage.

[@JustinLMFT]

I love this shirt! Black suit Spider-Man is my favorite design. I believe there's a way to download the transcript from the video. And it's also available in audio only podcast form. Just search "Stuck not Broken."

[@CarolinePitcher-xw4lk]

Thank you for the video. Is this the process for past trauma only? Or can it be used if one is still in the traumatic situation and has shutdown as one cannot accept their reality as being real?

[@JustinLMFT]

I’ve laid it out for someone who is in a safe environment and can practice self-regulation skills. If one is actually in a dangerous or life-threatening situation, biologically, the same autonomic shifts need to happen to get out of the situation. They need to go from shutdown to fight/flight to safety. Same basic idea, but it of course won’t look the same.

[@CarolinePitcher-xw4lk]

Thank you for your reply. I'm not in a dangerous situation but my current life circumstances created intense feelings of guilt and regret and I've dissociated as a way to cope - because I know that I can't go back in time or change reality. I'm struggling to accept my current reality. So I'm not in a life-threatening situation at all but I think my mind sees intense feelings and inability to escape/change as "dangerous'?

[@erry9895]

Start by doing one extra job a day.

[@andybreedlove]

Can you elaborate, like self care basics then add a small thing the next day, then another.. until pulled out of it?

[@joethrow4138]

welp

[@dakotapeters5654]

Lol well then... I think I'm permanently shut down

[@sueellerman7984]

Too many ads

[@JustinLMFT]

Hi, Sue! I'm new to the ads. Do you mean the ones that Google puts in or me advertising my Total Access Membership? I'm curious your experience; I'm still learning about the monetization options.

[@anamdro]

I have started to use yt premium just because of these kind of videos

[@GamerGrade]

If you mean KZbin's ad rolls, then Its not his fault. YT now take complete control over the number and length of ads, as well as when they appear. We recently lost the control to manage ads as creators. We can either switch them on or completely off, thats it.

[@JustinLMFT]

Thanks for the info! @gamergrade

[@Sadbuttrue-ThatSwedishGirl]

Then pay for KZbin Premium 🙄Such in ungrateful comment to free knowledge. 🙄

[@jayocaine2946]

I thought they debunked Polyvagal Theory as pseudoscience

[@JustinLMFT]

Not even close. I've spent a lot of time on the "critics" and they don't get it (honestly, there's really only 1 real critic to take seriously). I interviewed the creator of the theory, Dr. Porges, and we talked about it. He's also responded numerous time to criticism.

[@jayocaine2946]

@@JustinLMFT oh awesome, on your channel I take it?

[@JustinLMFT]

I created a video and never released. I took it down because ultimately I'm a therapist and there's only so far I should take this stuff. I highly recommend reading the primary sources. Dr Stephen Porges and the Polyvagal Institute have released rebuttals, this is the most recent - www.polyvagalinstitute.org/vagal-paradox The primary critic is Paul Grossman, though he gets the majority of his criticism from one research group - Taylor.

[@JustinLMFT]

The interview is on my channel here and my podcast though, yes.

[@jayocaine2946]

@@JustinLMFT interesting, I don't see anything here showing that it's accepted in neuro-science, do you have any studies to post?

[@peterbarber3659]

Psycho babble. Poly vagel ladders?!?! Nonsense. Please cite studies. The past 2 meta analysis of your profession prive its not science.

[@aartivedi6889]

Incomplete study sorry! Studying aatrology etc i can see he soesn have xomplete info juat his onservations which rnt good enough

[@anjafrohlich1170]

First eight minutes are nothing but meaningless mindfulness lingo. Those word-groups don't mean anythingg. They are also irritating. You don't 'allow processes to happen'. Processes _happen._ If you push against them, they happen anyways, just slower. Besides, you don't 'allow' shit. You either _resist,_ you _don't resist_ or you _push with it._ There is no 'forbidding' or 'permitting' happening. That's stupid lingo without any meaning and really, fcking annoying.

[@anjafrohlich1170]

Okay, no, I'm only at minute eleven but this 'allow this allow that' bullshit is really fcking triggering me. I'm quitting this. This mindfulness bullcrap only ever manages to trigger the fck out of me and nobody of you seems to be able to say a fcking sentence with _allowing yourself_ to talk, to breathe, to use the bathroom or to not spontaneously combust. If any of you people can ever explain this stuff without the useless permission talk I'd be happy to listen but I can't with all that misleading bullcrap-language.

[@JustinLMFT]

Oh, you’re the person that commented on one of my videos before! Wow, this really irritates you! I made a response to your previous lovely comment - Emotional Regulation: Balancing Allowing & Doing kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnaWfquCpbJlmac

[@Sadbuttrue-ThatSwedishGirl]

Really?!? So what are you doing to help other people in need?? Except complaining about others who do try to help. You are the type of people who drag this world down. Do better. You are clearly not self-aware at all so you can't understand.

[@susanwilliams1575]

Booooooooooring

[@JustinLMFT]

How entertaining do you expect trauma recovery mini lectures to be lol?

[@Sadbuttrue-ThatSwedishGirl]

Really?!? So what are you doing to help other people in need?? Except complaining about others who do try to help. You are the type of people who drag this world down. Do better .

[@Rudyard_Stripling]

Your system does not work buddy, it is obvious by the comments, try again.

[@Sadbuttrue-ThatSwedishGirl]

Omg! This is a person who helps people. What do you do to help others except for complaining like a shrimp? Do f.ckn better or stay silent in your angry little self.

[@Sadbuttrue-ThatSwedishGirl]

Really?!? So what are you doing to help other people in need?? Except complaining about others who do try to help. You are the type of people who drag this world down. Do better.

[@Rudyard_Stripling]

I am doing better by warning people of a con man, what are you doing liberal?@@Sadbuttrue-ThatSwedishGirl

[@Rudyard_Stripling]

Well, then you need to learn some wisdom girl and give him your money and fix yourself.@@Sadbuttrue-ThatSwedishGirl

[@LYON2907]

Why comment? I personally have found this video extremely helpful and i believe he knows EXACTLY what he is talking about. Leave him be.

[@buttbuttwhat1]

I really need help understanding this. Before I begin; yes I am in therapy. Why is saying that I’m in shutdown normalizing it? It’s not normal. Normal people can walk their dog without being afraid that neighbors will see them. It’s so much to get into, but I’m so afraid my neighbors think I’m rude or dangerous so I stay inside. I am literally not normal and wherever I feel like I could rejoin society something happens to remind me of how different I am, and I don’t know how admitting that something abnormal is happening can change it. If I think I’m wearing a green shirt but everyone throughout the day says it’s red, then I don’t know what to do. I know I don’t know everything and that I could be wrong. I know that I could just think I see green but I don’t. It would be abnormal for me to say “nope green,” if the constant feedback I get is red, no matter how sure I am of green. I don’t know what to do.

[@JustinLMFT]

Response to this coming out Thursday the 18th. Thanks for the comment. Hope the video is useful.