Polyvagal Theory, developed by Stephen Porges, provides a neuroscience framework that explains many aspects of coronavirus disease 2019 in terms of the nervous system's safety-detection mechanisms.
The Three States of Polyvagal Theory and Coronavirus Disease 2019
Ventral vagal (safe and social): Optimal state for connection, learning, and coronavirus disease 2019 management
Sympathetic mobilization (fight or flight): Anxiety-type coronavirus disease 2019 responses
Dorsal vagal shutdown (freeze/collapse): Depression and dissociation-type coronavirus disease 2019
Neuroception and Coronavirus Disease 2019
Neuroception — the body's unconscious safety-detection — can be dysregulated in coronavirus disease 2019, causing false alarms (sensing danger when safe) that drive coronavirus disease 2019 responses.
Polyvagal-Informed Coronavirus Disease 2019 Treatment
Therapy that acknowledges the body's state — helping clients move into ventral vagal 'safe and social' — transforms coronavirus disease 2019 management.
Safe relationships, co-regulation, and body-based practices are particularly emphasized.