The symptoms, causes and cures of nervous system dysregulation

Nervous System Dysregulation and why it matters in chronic recovery

The main cause of chronic symptom suffering is central nervous system dysregulation. Put simply, dysregulation is a sustained stress response state with little or no respite that carries manifests in a multitude of physical, emotional, mental and behavioural ways. Hence why suffering can be so nuanced in this space.

Dysregulation is not an error or a glitch in the nervous system

Nervous system dysregulation happens as a result of sustained states of activation, which start off as a biologically sound form of self-protection, triggered into action when our brain senses a threat. Unfortunately, a threat can be both perceived and/or predicted, so dysregulation can occur when there is no acute threat present...which is most common for us chronic folk. If we don't have the tools or guidance into how we cope with stress, trauma and difficult emotions then that activation can remain stuck within us.

Understanding the manifestations of nervous system dysregulation

The point of this piece is not to freak you out, it's to illustrate just how vast the laundry list of manifestations of dysregulation can be, and these are just the ones I have listed from my own experience and those of others I’ve connected with…there are undoubtedly more and many I’ve likely forgotten.

I get hundreds of questions as to whether certain symptoms are TMS/mind-body and in my experience most of the time they are. There was so much to include in this post that I’ve split it up into a few separate parts A) the physical symptoms of nervous system dysregulation, B) the mental and emotional symptoms of dysregulation, C) the behavioural symptoms of dysregulation, D) the main root causes of this sustained stress response and E) the all-important treatments and solutions.

Note: I am not diagnosing you by listing these symptoms, I cannot do that, these are just common manifestations of dysregulation but it’s important to consult your primary care doctor to rule out anything serious.

Although this list is mainly highlighting the symptoms of dysregulation - with the hope that it helps settle some of your fears around what you’re experiencing (i.e. you are not broken) - I want to clarify a really important point. If we focus solely on resolving symptoms and we don’t address their root causes, then all we're doing is fire-fighting on the surface and not solving the issues at their core.

In mind-body healing, we treat the root, not the fruit haha! Ok here goes...

Physical symptoms of nervous system dysregulation

+ Chronic pain or tension
+ Fatigue or energy crashes
+ Insomnia or sleep disturbances
+ Digestive issues (e.g., IBS, bloating)
+ Heart palpitations or chest pain
+ Headaches or migraines
+ Heightened sensitivity to light + sound
+ Dizziness, vertigo + lightheadedness
+ Weakened immune system
+ Changes in appetite
+ Overheating
+ Muscle weakness or tremors
+ Chronic inflammation
+ Hormonal imbalances
+ Postural issues
+ Skin issues (e.g., eczema, acne, psoriasis)
+ Hair loss
+ Vision issues (e.g., blurring, floaters, or sensitive eyes)
+ Lockjaw or TMJ
+ Burning mouth
+ Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
+ Nausea or general malaise
+ Fertility issues (e.g., irregular menstrual cycles, difficulty conceiving, hormonal imbalances impacting reproduction)
+ Sexual dysfunction (e.g., erectile dysfunction, low libido, pelvic pain)
+ Impaired coordination or balance
+ Blood pressure fluctuations
+ Hot or cold sweats
+ Sensitivity to temperature changes
+ Chills or cold extremities (hands + feet)
+ Worse/new allergies or food intolerances
+ Frequent urination or urinary urgency
+ Speech issues (e.g., stuttering, difficulty finding words)
+ Inability to relax or sit still
+ Hypersensitivity to touch or pressure
+ Fainting or feeling faint
+ Excessive thirst or dry mouth

Mental and emotional symptoms of nervous system dysregulation

+ Anxiety and panic attacks
+ Depression or mood swings
+ Irritability or anger
+ Difficulty concentrating or brain fog
+ Racing thoughts or an overactive mind
+ Emotional numbness or detachment
+ Feelings of impending doom or catastrophic thinking
+ Dissociation or feeling disconnected from oneself
+ Obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviours
+ Difficulty making decisions or solving problems
+ Memory problems or forgetfulness
+ Nightmares or sleep terrors
+ Difficulty sleeping due to stress, anxiety, or other factors

Behavioural symptoms of nervous system dysregulation

+ Exaggerated startle response
+ Restlessness or agitation
+ Agression
+ Avoidance/shut-down
+ Overreaction to minor stressors
+ Attachment issues in relationships (e.g., fear of abandonment, difficulty trusting others)
+ Substance use disorders as a coping mechanism (e.g., alcohol or drug abuse)
+ Obsessive worrying or ruminating thoughts
+ People-pleasing or fawning
+ Intense independence
+ Perfectionism
+ Overworking/underfeeling

Causes of nervous system dysregulation

A multidisciplinary approach is often required for severe cases and can include a combination of various therapeutic interventions that can effectively treat the person as a whole, not just the presenting symptoms.

+ Traumatic experiences
+ PTSD/CPTSD
+ Attachment injuries
+ Chronic stress
+ Dysregulation in relationships
+ Substance abuse
+ Lack of community
+ Genetics/Generational trauma/dysregulation
+ Emotional suppression
+ Maladaptive coping strategies + traits
+ Hypersensitised neuropathways
+ Neurological disorders
+ Neurodiversity
+ Hormonal imbalances
+ Poor sleep hygiene or sleep disorders
+ Acute or prolonged injury/illness/health fears
+ Poor diet + git health
+ Sedentary lifestyle

Treatments for nervous system dysregulation

Treating dysregulation usually requires a multidisciplinary approach is often required for severe cases, and can include a combination of various therapeutic interventions that can effectively address different aspects of nervous system dysregulation. There are usually two kinds of interventions, those that interrupt the state of dysregulation in the moment and bring the body-mind back into a balanced state, and those that treat the root causes.

+ Trauma resolution psychotherapy
+ Internal Family Systems Therapy (Parts Work)
+ Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
+ Somatic experiencing therapy
+ Feldenkrais Method
+ Safe emotional expression
+ Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
+ Polyvagal-based therapies
+ Exposure therapies
+ Body-based therapies (with a view to calming the nervous system, not fixing symptoms) such as:
+ Massage therapies
+ Acupuncture 
+ Physical therapy
+ Relaxation Techniques
+ Breathwork
+ Cold exposure
+ Music therapy
+ Yoga, Tai Chi or QiGong 
+ Progressive muscle relaxation
+ Somatics
+ Guided imagery
+ Yoga therapy
+ Mindfulness meditation
+ Yoga Nidra / NSDR (no sleep deep rest)
+ Sound Healing
+ Lifestyle changes, environmental changes
+ Exercise and functional physical activity
+ Balanced nutrition
+ Sleep hygiene
+ Stress management
+ Titration to triggers
+ Community + support systems
+ Support groups or peer support
+ Medication
+ Self-compassion exercises

It's important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and what worked for me may be different to what works for you. There are many things that can help with nervous system dysregulation, but treating the root causes is key!

Check out my online courses for more information on how to heal dysregulation and address chronic conditions.

I you're new here check out my Recovery Journey Roadmap and let's connect on social media, I'm on Facebook or Instagram and post daily insight and inspiration over there. Find out more about ways I can support you, through my yoga for TMS school click here - yoga for TMS, or check out my online courses + meditations.