Does the Body Actually Keep the Score? Misconceptions About Nervous System Dysregulation

Nervous system regulation has gotten oversimplified. Let’s clear up 3 big misconceptions about trauma, dysregulation, Polyvagal Theory, and healing.
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Is your nervous system really “dysregulated”? Is the goal of nervous system regulation to feel calm all the time? And does past trauma permanently change or damage your nervous system?
Nervous system dysregulation has become a huge mental health buzzword—and along with some genuinely helpful ideas, there are plenty of misconceptions, oversimplifications, and “vagus nerve hacks” floating around.
In this episode, I break down three common misconceptions about nervous system regulation.
Polyvagal Theory articles referenced in the video:
https://www.clinicalneuropsychiatry.org/download/why-the-polyvagal-theory-is-untenable-an-international-expert-evaluation-of-the-polyvagal-theory-and-commentary-upon-porges-s-w-2025-polyvagal-theory-current-status-clinical-applications-and/
https://drarielleschwartz.com/clinical-reflections-on-the-critique-on-polyvagal-theory-proposed-by-grossman-et-al/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12302812/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12937496/
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Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.
In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger Institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.
And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe
If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services.
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