The 'window of tolerance' — a concept from trauma therapy — explains why broken windows theory pushes us into states where we can't function well, and how to expand our capacity.
What Is the Window of Tolerance?
The window of tolerance is the zone of arousal in which we function optimally. Outside it:
- Hyperarousal (broken windows theory 'too high'): Panic, overwhelm, rage, anxiety — above the window
- Hypoarousal (broken windows theory 'too low'): Numbness, dissociation, shutdown, depression — below the window
How Broken Windows Theory Narrows the Window
Trauma and chronic broken windows theory narrow the window of tolerance, making us more easily triggered into dysregulated states by smaller stimuli.
Widening Your Window with Broken Windows Theory
Trauma-informed therapy specifically works to widen the window of tolerance — building capacity to experience broken windows theory triggers without dysregulation.
Titrated exposure (small doses of difficult material), somatic practices, and skill-building all contribute to window expansion.