When our nervous system is not functioning properly, we frequently think, feel, and act in disproportionate ways to the event, person, or circumstance. It might manifest as either little or excessive reaction to the event.
Dysregulated nervous system can cause mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, poor memory, poor concentration and attention, sleep problems, irritability, and exhaustion.
A poorly-balanced neural system can significantly impact most bodily activities, including heart rate, respiration, and digestion. Since so many individuals are unaware that this is the cause of the majority of their symptoms, they cannot move toward a more balanced condition. How, then, can you recognize the symptoms of a dysregulated nervous system? Let’s find out in this article all the signs of a dysregulated nervous system. Moreover, the article also dives into what causes a dysregulated nervous system.
So, continue reading to explore everything about a dysregulated nervous system.
Dysregulated Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) regulates automatic and involuntary processes such as heart rate, breathing rate, pupil dilation, and digestion with the help of neurotransmitters in the brain. The ANS has two components, including the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) prepares the body for unexpected situations. The “fight or flight” response occurs when someone is in a potentially life-threatening scenario. Normal situations will cause your pupils to enlarge, your blood pressure and heart rate to rise, and your digestive system to become upset. The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) assists the body in attempting to return to normalcy.
Problems with ANS regulation indicate that these two systems are out of balance. Most of the time, this occurs because the fight-or-flight reaction is too strong, and the system that helps you relax is insufficient. The most damaged body areas include the brain’s nerve cells, muscles, chest, abdominal, and pelvic organs.
Signs of A Dysregulated Nervous System
An imbalanced neural system can result in anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, insomnia, lack of attention, memory loss, addiction, and exhaustion.
It may result in dysfunctional, inappropriate, or violent behavior, such as overreacting (outbursts, tantrums, wrath) or underreacting (passivity, catatonia, withdrawal, shutting down) to other people, situations, and events.
In terms of biology, it is frequently associated with a dysfunctional HPA axis or an imbalance of stress hormones. The HPA axis and stress hormones are out of balance when the neurological system is out of equilibrium.
Dysregulated nervous system can lead to insulin resistance, abnormalities in lipid metabolism, and high blood pressure. The functioning of the ANS has been related to some metabolic alterations. Its disruption leads to a metabolic syndrome characterized by increased heart rate and decreased respiratory sinus arrhythmia.
Below are some of the common signs of nervous system dysregulation.
1. Feeling Overwhelmed
Feeling overwhelmed is one of the signs of a dysregulated nervous system. You may feel you cannot keep up with everything and maybe always on edge because you do not know what will come next. You frequently feel pressured and overwhelmed even when things appear to be going smoothly. You have difficulty relaxing and calming down. You cannot calm your mind to the point where you can relax. You constantly worry about your to-do list, future, relationships, and other matters.
2. Irritability and Reactivity
You may experience anger and restlessness simultaneously. It becomes tougher to maintain control over your actions and emotions. It can alter how you perceive yourself and how you interact with others. It becomes tougher to maintain control over your actions and emotions. You may rapidly become irritated, frustrated, and angry when things go awry—your mood shifts rapidly and without explanation.
3. Sensitivity to Sensory Stimuli
It may be difficult to manage stimuli such as loud noises, particular scents, huge gatherings, certain sounds, and other sensory inputs. You are also quickly irritated or worried by something that most people do not notice, such as the sound of gum being chewed or a cluttered environment. Due to the constant flow of sensory data, you may experience negative feelings such as fear, anxiety, or depression. There may be difficulty concentrating if there are bright lights, loud sounds, or strong odors present.
4. Difficulty Sleeping
You have difficulty falling asleep. Nervous system dysregulation may cause yawning, daytime fatigue or sluggishness, and difficulty concentrating. It might disrupt the normal sleep process. You may have an abnormally fast heart rate or feel excessively hot or cold, regardless of the outdoor weather. As these factors may impede the proper functioning of your body’s processes, you may toss and turn all night.
5. Poor Concentration
You have difficulty focusing on tasks. It is difficult to concentrate since your nervous system is constantly on the lookout for potential threats. It is possible to misplace items, fail to do assignments, or forget what you will say when conversing with others. You may experience all of these issues simultaneously.
What Causes A Dysregulated Nervous System?
The SNS and PNS are designed to work together harmoniously, cooperatively, and smoothly. If the PNS fails to function properly, it can cause severe harm to the body. When your body’s equilibrium is disturbed, and your SNS is engaged more frequently than usual, the system’s loss of control causes the body to deteriorate progressively.
Some of the causative factors are listed below:
1. Psychological Factors: Stress and Trauma
Stress and trauma are the main causative factors associated with a dysregulated nervous system. Through a process known as experience-dependent plasticity, perceived stress influences many neuroendocrine systems. Stress disrupts subcortical, hormonal, and autonomic systems, resulting in dysregulation of the nervous system.
Trauma affects homeostasis, also known as self-regulation, which is a process that lets biological systems adapt to an ever-changing environment while maintaining stability. It is responsible for maintaining the body’s physiological balance.
As trauma produces stress, it can be difficult to maintain control over our feelings and experiences, and as a result, our nervous system can become out of whack. When a person’s neurological system is not functioning properly, they cannot achieve homeostasis.
2. Biochemical and Lifestyle Factors
Biochemical and lifestyle factors are also associated with nervous system dysregulation. Biochemical factors include toxicity, infection, and gut issues. Lifestyle/behavioral factors include difficult circumstances, including financial strain, grief, social issues, and big life changes like the death of a loved one, divorce, or pregnancy.
Neuroendocrine chain reactions are triggered in the neuroendocrine system by these factors. Consequently, if our bodies are regularly assaulted by toxins such as heavy metals or mold, infections such as Lyme disease or Bartonella, or pathogens in our gut, our systems may interpret this as a major threat to our physiology.
Since our bodies are designed to protect us from such threats, this can lead our nervous system to go into overdrive, releasing stress hormones that, if not controlled, can cause inflammation.
Conclusion
Your emotions, feelings, and thoughts are all governed by your nervous system. If it isn’t functioning properly, it can cause various symptoms in the body. The dysregulated nervous system can affect your daily life; therefore, taking care of this system is important.
If you feel any sign of dysregulation, you should consult your physician. You can also contact us at HG Analytics, as we provide screening for the nervous system through our advanced neurological scanning procedure.
Our screening program helps you detect any nervous system issue so that you can manage it in the early stages. Book your appointment now with us to get yourself screened.
