05/16/2026
Emotions aren't commands, they are notifications.
Unfortunately, when our nervous systems is dysregulated and feels threatened, those emotions can take over the decision making part of the brain..
This phenomenon - the amygdala hijack - explains why it feels so difficult to think rationally when you are deeply anxious or panicked.
When your nervous system detects a threat, a biological shift occurs:
The Amygdala Takes Over: The emotional and threat-detection center of your brain shifts you into a highly reactive, survival-focused state.
Prefrontal Function Weakens: Chemical changes in the brain disconnect the prefrontal cortex, stripping away your higher-level thinking and ability to easily calm yourself down.
Primitive Circuits Dominate: Control is handed over to older, more primitive parts of the brain, leading to "fight, flight, fawn, or freeze" responses rather than thoughtful, considered actions.
This is why you cannot easily "think your way out" of a dysregulated state. To get your prefrontal cortex working properly again, you typically have to help your nervous system feel safe first using bottom-up processing (like deep breathing, grounding, or physical movement) rather than top-down logic.
Below are some strategies to aid in your regulation journey...
Once you know, then you grow. 🌱🌻🌼
