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