Glimmers

Little Vignettes That Can Make Your Day

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Those of us who have survived complex trauma understand all too well the concept and actions of triggers. Triggers can throw us back to times in our lives when we were abused and otherwise harmed, leaving us shaken and reliving the past.

However, have you ever heard of glimmers?

This article will focus on glimmers and how to have more.

Polyvagal Theory

The first thing we need to examine before we go into what glimmers are is to understand polyvagal theory. Polyvagal theory1, the brainchild of Stephen Porges, a neuroscientist, explains how the mammalian brain evolved an autonomic nervous system that allows for adaptive behavioral strategies.

The theory states that the presence or absence of a perceived threat can activate parts of the brain and the autonomic nervous system (ANS), producing physical states such as the fight/flight/freeze responses. The autonomic nervous system contains three anatomically significant divisions: the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric.

When the ANS malfunctions because of exposure to complex trauma, it affects how we perceive our world and changes our perceptions causing us to behave in typical situations as though it is dangerous.