Learning to manage the Window of Tolerance But in the middle, within the window of tolerance, healing and integration can occur. When we are stuck in these upper and lower zones of hyper- or hypo arousal, the full integration and healing of trauma cannot occur. That keeps us stuck in the reliving of the traumatic material, even though a part of us-an inaccessible part, so long as we are dissociating-knows it is in the past. ![]() In those moments we can experience an effect where aspects of our former self, still stuck in the original trauma, do not have access to what the present self knows. The shift outside the window of tolerance into hypo or hyper arousal is the dissociative process, and it may be subtle or extreme. A person who is often in a state of hypo-arousal may dissociate, have memory issues, and experience feelings of depersonalization. A person who is often in a state of hyper-arousal may develop symptoms of posttraumatic stress, such as flashbacks and nightmares. People who frequently operate outside of their window of tolerance may experience mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. A narrowed window of tolerance may cause people to perceive danger more readily and react to real and imagined threats with either a fight/flight response or a freeze response. As a result of their experiences, they may come to believe the world is unsafe and may operate with a window of tolerance that has become more narrow or inflexible as a result. People who have experienced a traumatic event may respond to stressors, even minor ones, with extreme hyper- or hypo-arousal. ![]() The stress of a traumatic or otherwise negative event may have the effect of pushing a person out of their window of tolerance. The Window of Tolerance in Relation to Mental Health Most people move between these varying states of arousal from time to time. Trauma and/or extreme stress often make it more likely a person will become either hyper- or hypo-aroused. The window of tolerance can also be affected by environment: people are generally more able to remain within the window when they feel safe and supported. Others with a wider window of tolerance may be able to handle intense emotions or situations without feeling like their ability to function has been significantly impacted. Those who have a narrow window of tolerance may often feel as if their emotions are intense and difficult to manage. In these periods, a person can be said to be outside the window of tolerance.Įach individual’s window of tolerance is different. The prefrontal cortex region of the brain shuts down, affecting the ability to think rationally and often leading to the development of feelings of dysregulation, which may take the form of chaotic responses or overly rigid ones. In either of these states, an individual may become unable to process stimuli effectively. Hypo-arousal, or a freeze response, may cause feelings of emotional numbness, emptiness, or paralysis.Hyper-arousal, otherwise known as the “fight/flight” response, is often characterized by hypervigilance, feelings of anxiety and/or panic, and racing thoughts.However, during times of extreme stress people often experience periods of either hyper- or hypo-arousal. ![]() That person is likely to be able to reflect, think rationally, and make decisions calmly without feeling either overwhelmed or withdrawn. When a person is within their window of tolerance, it is generally the case that the brain is functioning well and can effectively process stimuli. Dan Siegel, and is now widely used in understanding normal brain/physiology reaction responses, as well in trauma treatment terminology. This optimal window was first named as such by Dr. When people are within this zone, they are typically able to readily receive, process, and integrate information and otherwise respond to the demands of everyday life without much difficulty. Window of tolerance is a term used to describe the zone of arousal in which a person is able to function most effectively.
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