magazine.circledna.com Open in urlscan Pro
2606:4700:10::6816:4c96  Public Scan

Form analysis
4 forms found in the DOM

GET https://magazine.circledna.com/

<form method="get" role="search" class="searchform" action="https://magazine.circledna.com/">
  <input type="search" aria-label="Search" class="field" name="s" value="" placeholder="Type keyword(s) here…"><input type="submit" class="submit btn" value="Search">
</form>

GET https://magazine.circledna.com/

<form method="get" role="search" class="searchform" action="https://magazine.circledna.com/">
  <input type="search" aria-label="Search" class="field" name="s" value="" placeholder="Type keyword(s) here…"><input type="submit" class="submit btn" value="Search">
</form>

#0

<form class="lrm-form js-lrm-form" action="#0" data-action="login">
  <div class="lrm-fieldset-wrap">
    <div class="lrm-integrations lrm-integrations--login">
    </div>
    <p class="lrm-form-message lrm-form-message--init"></p>
    <div class="fieldset">
      <label class="image-replace lrm-email lrm-ficon-mail" title="Email or Username"></label>
      <input name="username" class="full-width has-padding has-border" type="text" aria-label="Email or Username" placeholder="Email or Username" required="" value="" autocomplete="username" data-autofocus="1">
      <span class="lrm-error-message"></span>
    </div>
    <div class="fieldset">
      <label class="image-replace lrm-password lrm-ficon-key" title="Password"></label>
      <input name="password" class="full-width has-padding has-border" type="password" aria-label="Password" placeholder="Password" required="" value="">
      <span class="lrm-error-message"></span>
      <span class="hide-password lrm-ficon-eye" data-show="Show" data-hide="Hide" aria-label="Show"></span>
    </div>
    <div class="fieldset">
      <label class="lrm-nice-checkbox__label lrm-remember-me-checkbox">Remember me <input type="checkbox" class="lrm-nice-checkbox lrm-remember-me" name="remember-me" checked="">
        <div class="lrm-nice-checkbox__indicator"></div>
      </label>
    </div>
    <div class="lrm-integrations lrm-integrations--login lrm-integrations-before-btn">
    </div>
    <div class="lrm-integrations-otp"></div>
  </div>
  <div class="fieldset fieldset--submit fieldset--default">
    <button class="full-width has-padding" type="submit"> Log in </button>
  </div>
  <div class="lrm-fieldset-wrap">
    <div class="lrm-integrations lrm-integrations--login">
    </div>
  </div>
  <input type="hidden" name="redirect_to" value="">
  <input type="hidden" name="lrm_action" value="login">
  <input type="hidden" name="wp-submit" value="1">
  <input type="hidden" name="lp-ajax" value="login">
  <input type="hidden" id="security-login" name="security-login" value="31eb0431dd"><input type="hidden" name="_wp_http_referer" value="/signs-you-have-a-dysregulated-nervous-system/">
  <span class="wpcf7-submit" style="display: none;"></span>
</form>

#0

<form class="lrm-form js-lrm-form" action="#0" data-action="lost-password">
  <div class="lrm-fieldset-wrap">
    <p class="lrm-form-message">Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.</p>
    <div class="fieldset">
      <label class="image-replace lrm-email lrm-ficon-mail" title="Email or Username"></label>
      <input class="full-width has-padding has-border" name="user_login" type="text" required="" placeholder="Email or Username" data-autofocus="1" aria-label="Email or Username">
      <span class="lrm-error-message"></span>
    </div>
    <div class="lrm-integrations lrm-integrations--reset-pass">
    </div>
    <input type="hidden" name="lrm_action" value="lostpassword">
    <input type="hidden" name="wp-submit" value="1">
    <input type="hidden" id="security-lostpassword" name="security-lostpassword" value="ab85560437"><input type="hidden" name="_wp_http_referer" value="/signs-you-have-a-dysregulated-nervous-system/">
  </div>
  <div class="fieldset fieldset--submit fieldset--default">
    <button class="full-width has-padding" type="submit"> Reset password </button>
  </div>
  <span class="wpcf7-submit" style="display: none;"></span>
</form>

Text Content

NEW! Incredible offer for our exclusive subscribers! Visit CircleDNA.

Menu
 * Diet & Nutrition
 * Fitness
 * Wellness
 * Preventive Health
 * Visit CircleDNA.com


Menu
 * Diet & Nutrition
 * Fitness
 * Wellness
 * Preventive Health
 * Visit CircleDNA.com


Wellness


NERVOUS SYSTEM DYSREGULATION: SIGNS YOU’RE DYSREGULATED

By Erica Gordon

August 9, 2021

5 Mins read



Nervous system dysregulation is experienced by many people, especially while
feeling anxious or stressed. Dysregulation of the nervous system does not feel
pleasant or comfortable, because when you’re dysregulated, you’ll often feel on
edge, agitated, nauseous, or anxious. It’s common to feel both physically sick
and mentally distressed during nervous system dysregulation. 

Other common signs of nervous system dysregulation include feeling short of
breath, having an elevated heart rate, sweating, or feeling ‘frozen’.

Dr. Mark Walker, Medical Director of Harm Reduction Center, states “Nervous
system dysregulation means you are in a fight, flight, or freeze response.”

JF Benoist, a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and the author of Addicted to
the Monkey Mind, explains, “Our nervous system carries memories of both positive
and negative experiences. Imagine that every experience we have is filed away
into a filing cabinet in our brain. When something happens that looks similar to
one of those files, we can often get dysregulated. When it comes to bad
experiences, our body tries to protect us from them happening again. This is
what’s often happening when our nervous system gets dysregulated—it’s a
misguided attempt from our body (once it’s triggered) to protect ourselves from
the anxiety, pain or hurt it remembers we experienced.”


WHAT EXACTLY DOES IT MEAN TO BE DYSREGULATED?

Dr. Ben E. Paxton explains, “Our nervous system is responsible for our body’s
fight or flight response (sympathetic system) which is activated during
emergency circumstances and stressful situations, as well as the parasympathetic
system that returns the body to a normal state and calms it down. The two should
always be in harmony. However, when the balance is disrupted caused by past
trauma, chronic stress, lack of social support, unfavourable living conditions,
or from an unresolved past problem, we can become dysregulated. Our body
triggers too much fight or flight, not enough rest to balance it out, and
nervous system dysregulation occurs.”

Notice how Dr. Paxton explains that nervous system dysregulation is often
experienced during an emergency situation or a very stressful situation.
Ideally, an emergency or high-stress situation would be the only time you’d
experience the symptoms of a dysregulated nervous system. Unfortunately, this is
not the case for many people. There are many people who are frustrated that they
often feel dysregulated even over simple or minor life stressors. Some people
even find themselves dysregulated when nothing is wrong, and nothing is
currently stressing them out.


WHAT CAUSES A PERSON TO BE DYSREGULATED WHEN NOTHING IS WRONG?

Dr. Walker explains, “Past experiences that caused anxiety or general nervous
system dysregulation can create a memory response in the nervous system. For
example, if a traumatic or distressing event happens while grocery shopping, an
individual could experience nervous system dysregulation the next time they go
to the grocery store. Though the one traumatic event was an isolated incident,
an individual could continue to experience fight, flight or freeze because their
nervous system is responding as if it is in danger.”

Sometimes, when your nervous system is dysregulated, your body could be on edge
as if there’s the sound of an intruder at the door when in reality, you’re in a
safe space. You might be at home on your couch, and zero sounds of an intruder
occurred, but you suddenly feel dysregulated. Suddenly, your palms are sweaty
and your heart is beating fast. You feel anxious and afraid. This feeling that
your nervous system is suddenly dysregulated could have been triggered by some
sort of thought or memory, rather than an actual threat. Dr. Walker explains, “A
person can be dysregulated due to trauma, PTSD or chemical imbalances.” 


COMMON SIGNS YOU’RE DYSREGULATED

Below are some common signs and symptoms of nervous system dysregulation:

 * Elevated or irregular heart rate
 * Anxiety or agitation 
 * Nausea or feeling ‘off’
 * Short of breath
 * Feeling frozen or ‘stuck’
 * Sweating
 * Feeling on edge 
 * Feeling overstimulated
 * Stomach pain
 * Irritable bowel
 * Difficulty focusing or concentrating 
 * Irritable mood or snapping at people 
 * Stonewalling
 * Depression

The above are only some of many signs of dysregulation. Sarah O’Leary, a
therapist from San Diego, says, “When your nervous system is dysregulated that
means some signals are present when they shouldn’t be or vice versa. You might
be very stimulated even when there aren’t stimuli around that would call for
that level of emotion (like with anxiety or anger). Some signs of a dysregulated
nervous system are difficulties in sleeping or eating (too much or too little),
difficulty concentrating, memory impairment, irritability, and physical health
complications (such as stomach aches or irritable bowels).”

Morgan Hubbell, a therapist from Southern California, importantly points out
that the signs and symptoms of dysregulation are different for everyone: “No two
people have the exact same symptoms of dysregulation, but some common signs of
dysregulation are: heart starts racing, stomach/digestive issues, nausea,
headache, sweaty palms/getting clammy, uneven or shallow breathing, fatigue. For
some people, dysregulation can also manifest as racing thoughts or feeling like
they’re drowning in their worries. For others still, dysregulation can feel like
fatigue or feeling frozen all the time. Everyone’s nervous system is a little
different.”


WHAT CAUSES NERVOUS SYSTEM DYSREGULATION?

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Morgan Hubbell explains, “The most common
source of dysregulation is trauma. Living with the weight of a traumatic event
can keep the nervous system in a near-constant state of distress. Other causes
of dysregulation can include chronic, long-term stress, such as a stressful work
environment, taking care of a sick family member, or financial hardship. Living
with chronic stress can lead your nervous system to stay elevated or
dysregulated, even during activities that are meant to relax you.”

In other words, you could be watching TV in a safe and relaxing environment, but
still, feel dysregulated. As Hubbell explains, for some people this is because
of PTSD or past trauma. For others, it’s from living in a chronically stressful
environment and being in a constant state of dysregulation. 


HOW TO TELL IF A LOVED ONE IS EXPERIENCING A DYSREGULATED NERVOUS SYSTEM

Do you have a friend or family member you care for who often overreacts to
minorly stressful situations? They could be experiencing a dysregulated nervous
system. Dr. Paxton explains, “Pay attention to their behaviour and the way they
react to certain situations. Overreacting, getting upset easily over minor
stressors, or underreacting are some important indications.”

As Dr. Paxton explains, overreacting could be a sign of a dysregulated nervous
system, but underreacting could also be a sign. Why? Because underreacting could
indicate that your loved one is feeling frozen (in ‘freeze’ mode) which is
another sign of nervous system dysregulation.

If your loved one is stonewalling you, seems off in their own world, or is
acting frozen, they might be dysregulated.


TREATMENT FOR A DYSREGULATED NERVOUS SYSTEM

People who feel their quality of life is impacted by their consistently
dysregulated nervous system should seek counselling.

Counsellors often will provide helpful tips on how you can self-regulate or
self-soothe, helping you calm yourself and regulate your nervous system when
it’s dysregulated.

Dr. Paxton explains, “It’s important to know how to regulate your nervous system
because it’s only when we are in our most regulated state that we can feel safe,
calm, connected, and social with others. It’s just as important that our nervous
system is ready and able to activate when it believes there’s a threat. But we
don’t want to stay stuck on high alert. Though our body is designed to
re-regulate naturally, when it gets stuck we may need help. This is why we learn
tools to self-regulate. This way, we can bring ourselves to a state of presence,
connection, and expression.”

The list of ways you can self-regulate is a mile long. You should experiment and
keep note of what helps regulate you. For example, you can learn grounding
techniques, go out and exercise, use music, do breathing exercises to slow your
heart rate or go to a place that helps regulate you (for example, a favourite
nature spot.) 

A lot of how we respond to stress is genetic. Are you a natural-born worrier?
Try the CircleDNA premium test to find out how you’re more likely to deal with
stress.




117 posts


ERICA GORDON

ABOUT AUTHOR

Erica Gordon is the Managing Editor and Director of Content at Circle Magazine.
Erica majored in Psychology at UBC and has since founded The Babe Report and
followed her passion for writing and journalism, with a focus on health and
travel writing.
Articles
Previous
Health Benefits Of Good Posture
Next
Birth Control Methods: A Comprehensive Guide

RELATED POSTS

Wellness


WHAT HAPPENS AT A SELF-DISCOVERY RETREAT?

By Team CircleDNA

June 18, 2022

7 Mins read
Self-discovery retreats are an incredible way to get to know yourself better,
discover who you are and what you’re made of, heal…
Wellness


5 FATHER’S DAY GIFTS TO SHOW YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR DAD’S HEALTH

By Erica Gordon

June 16, 2022

4 Mins read
This Father’s Day, you may want to consider getting your dad a gift that helps
improve his health in some way. Perhaps…
Wellness


WHAT IS MANIFESTATION, AND DOES IT WORK?

By Rebekah Carter

June 15, 2022

9 Mins read
The people who believe in the power of manifestation believe in it for a reason.
Positive thinking and positive affirmations aren’t entirely…

TO GIVE EVERYONE THE POWER TO BE IN CONTROL OF THEIR OWN HEALTH



Subscribe to our newsletter




6 COMMENTS

Comments are closed.
 * Pingback: Music and Memory: Why and How Music Creates Vivid Memories
 * Pingback: Benefits of Napping During the Workday - Circle Magazine | Health,
   Wellness & Genetics By CircleDNA
 * Pingback: Benefits of Napping During the Workday
 * Pingback: Effects Of Meditation On The Brain: How Meditating Benefits Your
   Brain Health
 * Pingback: Health Benefits Of Massage Therapy
 * Pingback: Health Benefits of Diaphragm Strengthening


 * NAVIGATION
   
    * CircleDNA
    * Colours of Circle
    * Terms of Service
    * Privacy Policy
    * Informed Consent

CircleDNA - DNA Your Life 


 * Sign in

Remember me



Log in


Forgot your password?

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with
link to set new password.



Reset password

Back to login