MHM Magazine

44 | MENTALHEALTHMATTERS | Issue 3 | 2021 MHM WHAT IS POLYVAGAL THEORY? Polyvagal theory can be traced back to 1969 when Dr. Stephen Porges – the founder of Polyvagal Theory (officially developed in 1994), worked with heart rate variability as well as focused on monitoring the physiological state of a client to guide the therapeutic interaction. It’s known as a theory of the autonomic nervous system which serves us in “the service of survival”. Our autonomic nervous system can be likened to our personal surveillance system which is on guard to pick up cues of safety and threat. THREE ORGANISING PRINCIPLES OF POLYVAGAL THEORY 1. Hierarchy This refers to three states that our autonomic nervous system moves between throughout the day. These three states, or “rungs on a ladder” are social engagement and connection (ventral vagal) at the top of the ladder, mobilisation (sympathetic nervous system which allows for fight or flight response) in the middle, and lastly, immobilisation (dorsal vagal shutdown/freeze) at the bottom. 2. Neuroception This refers to the cues that our autonomic nervous system is given which signal whether we should be seeking connection or protection – am I safe or am I in danger? This occurs below conscious thought and is beyond our awareness. 3. Co-regulation This is referred to in Polyvagal Theory as a biological imperative – in other words, we need it for survival. Through the regulation of our autonomic nervous system with another person, we feel safe to connect and engage in trusting relationships. THE RELEVANCE OF POLYVAGAL THEORY DURING COVID-19 The Covid-19 pandemic has had widespread effects on people across the world. Loss, the possibility or reality of death, fear, anxiety, economic destabilisation, and social isolation have been just some of the words used to describe the effect of the pandemic on people. Polyvagal Theory provides a helpful lens through which to understand the psycho-physiological effects of the pandemic on our nervous system and therefore on our daily functioning. Our nervous system is primed to detect safety or danger and given the effects of COVID-19, it’s reasonable to acknowledge that for most people, our nervous system has detected danger and threat and sent many of us into a fight, flight or freeze response. In many ways, the pandemic has taken away our biological imperative of co-regulation. Lockdown and social distancing have meant that the mechanism for co-regulation – connectedness through social engagement, has not been possible, or has largely changed across the world. Co- By Lucy Robinson Educational Psychologist Randburg Gauteng info@lucyrobinson.co.za POLYVAGAL THEORY AND ITS RELEVANCE TO COVID-19