The polyvagal framework is a framework which links the evolution of the mammalian autonomic nervous system to social behavior. Dr. Stephen Porges coined this theory in 1994.

This framework is widely used in successful treatments and has since been further developed.

The Polyvagal Framework:

The nervous system of people and animals is the basis of how they behave in different situations.

How the body works determines what a person or animal does and how it feels.

The evolution of the mammalian autonomic nervous system evolved to communicate automatically with other mammals. And to be able to activate different self-defense systems when necessary

The parasympathetic nervous system has two parts.

Each part helps with different ways of behaving.

The vagus nerve, a nerve in the body, works via two different pathways, the ventral and dorsal vagal pathways.

The two parts of the vagus nerve are:

The ventral vagal system: helps with social behavior.

The dorsal vagal system: helps with behaviors that require the animal to remain still, such as resting and digesting, or defending itself by standing still (freezing).

If the dorsal vagal pathway is active, and the nervous system remains stuck in this state, it can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, fatigue and fainting.

Sympathetic state:

In addition to this state, there is also the sympathetic state, this state you may know as fight or flight. However, this state also causes us to move to engage in activities.

Combination states:

There are also times when different states are combined. For example, in sports there is the combination between sympathetic and ventral. Here, too, the right balance is important; too much sympathetic energy, for example, can lead to an aggressive way of playing sports. After losing a match you often see the dorsal state come on. Meditation also involves ventral and dorsal. Body and mind then quiet down in a pleasant and healing way.

Self-regulating

A healthy nervous system that is developed in a normal way can switch well between states by itself. During prolonged periods of stress or a nervous system developed under non-ideal conditions. Can The nervous system cannot return to the correct state by itself. 

The Science of Security

Within the Polyvagal Framework, we explore how our nervous system employs different survival and connection strategies. We learn to recognize when our bodies choose safety, action or withdrawal, and how we can consciously influence these states can consciously influence these states for greater resilience and well-being.”