Whether it is talked about in this way or not, one goal of therapy is almost always to help clients to widen their Window of Tolerance. What is the Window of Tolerance you ask? It is a space where we can exist in life in which we feel that we can handle what is thrown at us. It is where we can handle stressful situations, cope with challenges, and uncomfortable emotions without becoming unbalanced.
When a trauma or stressors happen this window can shrink and we might feel more easily unbalanced or upset. When this window shrinks we end up existing in the space above or below that window. We might even go back and forth. Above the window is hyperarousal. When someone is in hyperarousal they may experience intense feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, anger, and a loss of control. Fight or flight may also kick in, meaning the body may want to run away or fight. These responses typically don’t feel like something in the individuals control, instinct takes over.
Below that window is hypoarousal. Hypoarousal is when the freeze (from fight, flight, or freeze) might kick in. The body shuts down and the individual may feel spacy, numb, zoned out, not present, or not real.
If you experience any of these things you are not alone. A mental health professional can help you widen that window to more easily be able to handle the hard things in life.