Cartesian Dualism: What is the core idea?
Mind and Body are fundamentally separate.
Cartesian Dualism: What are the components of the Mind?
- Thinking
- Feeling
- Soul
- Unobservable
Cartesian Dualism: What are the components of the Body?
- Physical
- Material
- Observable
What is Modern Science’s view on Mind-Body?
Rejects Mind-Body Dualism; shows thoughts, feelings, and consciousness are tied to brain and nervous system activities.
What are the two modes of the Nervous System?
- Survival Mode
- Thriving Mode
Survival Mode: What is Hyperarousal?
Fight and Flight.
Survival Mode: What is Hypoarousal?
Freeze.
What is the goal for the Nervous System?
To return to safety and thriving.
What are the effects of being in Survival Mode?
- Reduced cognitive ability
- Less empathy
- Willing to accept what is otherwise unacceptable
- Self-oriented
Define Trauma.
A psychological scarring that makes you less flexible, more rigid, less feeling, and more defensive.
What is the Typical Coping Mechanism Sequence?
- Human senses danger
- Fight (confront danger)
- Flight (escape or avoid)
- Freeze (reduce the impact)
Neuroplasticity: What does it mean?
We can change the way our brain works.
What are the four main actions for the path forward?
- Develop awareness
- Emotional regulation skills
- Managing difficult emotions
- Seek professional help
What is Emotional Dysregulation?
The scientific term for being stuck in fight, flight, or freeze; comes from difficulty managing intense emotions.
What is Emotional Regulation?
A skill that can be learned and improved through practice.
What are some Emotional First Aid Techniques?
- Box Breathing
- 4-7-8 breathing
- 5 Senses Grounding Practice
- Physical activities
Why do Physical Activities Help?
- Regulates the nervous system
- Releases stress hormones
- Improves mood and focus
What is the Core Principle of Feelings?
All feelings are valid.
What does the AVP Method stand for?
- Acknowledging
- Validating
- Permitting
AVP: Acknowledge - What does it involve?
Notice and name the feeling.
AVP: Validate - What does it involve?
Remind yourself this feeling is understandable and makes sense in the given context.
AVP: Permit - What does it involve?
Give yourself explicit permission to feel that emotion without judgment or the need to suppress it.
Why is Validation Important?
Helps a person make sense of a strong emotion and removes guilt/shame around the emotion.
The Paradox of Safety: What is the key idea?
Safety is not a solo game; the ‘us vs them’ worldview doesn’t make sense.
