Hypoactivity Analogies

 

Here's a quick summary of some of the insightful analogies we explored today around trauma healing and biological cycles of recovery:

• Like an injured athlete needing to accept reality of temporary limitations/rehab to fully mend, we too must "radically accept" unwanted situations in order to adapt and progress.
• Trauma symptoms arising from past coping strategies are like an old/outdated computer operating system lagging in speed/efficiency compared to new threats the defenses guard against. We compassionately update the internal software.
• Remaining barricaded behind hypervigilant defenses now excessive for current reality is like straining daily to peer out from an inflexible firewall that fails to accurately distinguish old ghosts from new guests appearing.
• Windows of lowered energy/motivation during healing are similar to muscles fatigued from prior exertion being unable to lift as much weight as when fresh, though intrinsic capacity remains intact. We honor cycles.
• Brains frequently misinterpret temporary emotional exhaustion as indefinite depression rather than accurately recognizing depleted energy reserves demanding replenishment before functioning peaks again. We discern what our biology tells us.

The key themes include having self-compassion to upgrade outdated neural programming, respecting natural cycles by resisting catastrophe about temporary dips, and reinterpreting symptoms as biological communication rather than personal flaws.