Dorsal Vagus: What it Means
The ancient branch of the vagus that, when overwhelmed, leads to freeze and collapse.
Dit artikel hoort bij: Somatic Concepts Explained: A Glossary for Therapists
When the Dorsal Vagus Activates
If fight or flight isn't working or isn't possible, the system shifts to dorsal vagus: heart rate drops, breathing becomes shallow, energy drains away, and dissociation can set in. This is a last-resort strategy of the body, to become invisible, conserve energy, and survive by being as minimally present as possible.
In Practice
In a session, you can recognize a dorsal shift when a client suddenly becomes quieter, their gaze becomes glazed over, breathing is shallow, and they sometimes appear 'empty'. Continuing to talk about the topic that triggered the shift is counterproductive. The work now becomes: bringing them back to the here and now through feeling their feet, orienting, and possibly movement.
Common Misconception
The mistake is seeing dorsal as weakness or avoidance. It is a brilliant survival strategy that has allowed us as a species to endure. The problem is not the response itself, but getting stuck in it, not being able to return to ventral after the threat has passed.
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Veelgestelde vragen
How do I help a client out of a dorsal shift?
Work through the body, not through words. Feet on the ground, opening eyes, looking around, possibly standing up and moving. Co-regulation through your calm and presence is the main driver here.
Can a client get stuck in dorsal for a long time?
Yes. Chronic dorsal activation sometimes looks like depression, with low energy, low motivation, and everything feeling flat. The distinction is important because the treatment differs.
What is the difference between dorsal and rest?
Rest comes from the ventral vagus, soft and open for connection. Dorsal feels absent or empty, and connection is difficult. The difference is not in activation level, but in availability for contact.