"Polyvagal theory, introduced in 1994 by psychologist Stephen Porges, highlights the role of the autonomic nervous system in regulating our health and behavior. Our lived experience of engaging with the world is impacted by external environmental cues, internal physical sensations, and relational experiences (e.g., an impression of connection, safety, and trust between individuals). Neuroception is our body's unconscious surveillance system that shifts us into one of three autonomic states needed to respond to a situation: rest-and-digest (social and safe), fight-or-flight (mobilization), or shutdown/collapse (immobilization)."
"Sympathetic mobilization activity increases when you are stressed, physically active, or if there is a perceived threat. Many of the mechanisms required to intuitively tune out environmental distractors, control impulses, and sustain attention are dysregulated in ADHD. Neurodivergent people are susceptible to emotional contagion (the tendency to absorb, catch, or be influenced by other people's feelings) and can distinguish very subtle clues that others would not."
Polyvagal theory describes how the autonomic nervous system shapes health and behavior through neuroception, shifting people between ventral vagal (safety), sympathetic (mobilization), and dorsal vagal (shutdown) states. Ventral vagal regulation fosters calm, presence, social engagement, creativity, and sustained interest. Sympathetic mobilization increases with stress or perceived threat and undermines attention, impulse control, and distractor filtering in ADHD. Neurodivergent people can be especially sensitive to emotional contagion, detecting subtle cues and absorbing others' feelings, which heightens stress and dysregulation. Managing dorsal vagal collapse relies on rest and targeted activities to restore regulation and homeostasis.
Read at Psychology Today
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