By Layla Zickefoose
I recently had a group of toddlers in my care. All was going well until one of them was not picked to be “it” in a duck, duck, goose and started wailing. Like dominos, other toddlers in the room became dysregulated and fell apart too. The fun was over.
Dysregulation is common and we all experience it at times. Sometimes the impact is very minor and people recover quickly. But other times dysregulation can impact daily functioning, affect others, and last for months and years. Recognizing dysregulation and understanding tools to address concerning levels can help mitigate the damage that it can cause, both to the sufferer and to those around them.
The concept of dysregulation refers to difficulty managing or controlling emotional, behavioral, or physiological responses in ways that are appropriate to the situation. It is like the brain and body have a difficult time staying in balance and this throws our nervous system out of whack. Some examples include intense emotional reactions to things in everyday life, angry outburst, hyperactivity, panic attacks, or a heightened startle response. It can also be more subtle like withdrawal, forgetfulness, digestive issues, or trouble sleeping.
As Christians, we know that God designed us for wholeness and balance, but because we live in a fallen world, our minds and bodies sometimes struggle to respond in healthy ways. Dysregulation is a sign that we need help and support. Root causes of dysregulation are varied and can include biological factors like hormone imbalance, personal failures, stress, or a past trauma.
There are a variety of tools that we use at Maranatha Family Counseling to help people bring their brains and bodies into sync. These tools help people better rest on the care our good God has for us and the truths of His word – an important goal for a Christian who is struggling.
One helpful tool is to simply make a practice of taking deep and focused breaths. Counselees sometimes get irritated at the simplicity of this suggestion. But we keep encouraging it because this tool can be so effective.
Todd Stryd, a counselor with the Christian Counseling & Education Foundation describes the value of breath work in his article “Take a Deep Breath”— How Counseling Ministry Addresses the Body. Stryd states in that article that an “emphasis for the emotionally out-of-control person is to rebalance and realign body and soul. As Christians, we can recognize the value of attentive breathing to help accomplish these ends.” Stryd explains that there are many physical reasons that breath work benefits dysregulated people. He encourages Christians to view this God-given tool as something that helps us calm down as we commit to paying more attention to who He is and the peace that He offers us. You purchase and read the whole article here: “Take a Deep Breath”—How Counseling Ministry Addresses the Body.
Commitment to regular meditation on God’s word, physical exercise, and education about our nervous system are some other ways to address dysregulation from a Christian perspective.
