🔼: [[⭐️ Emotions]] ##### Overwhelm An extreme level of [[💡 Emotional Dysregulation|emotional dysregulation]], intense to the point of feeling like life is unfolding faster than we can manage. This is more than [[💡 Stress|stress]] — we are so far outside of our [[💡 Window of Tolerance|Window of Tolerance]] that we lose our ability to function. This can happen in an instant, like when [[💡 Trigger|triggered]], or over time like with [[💡 Burnout|Burnout]]. According to Carol Gohm, overwhelm describes an experience where: - Our [[⭐️ Emotions]] are intense (10/10) - Our focus on them is moderate (5/10) - Our [[☀️ Clarity]] about what we’re feeling is low enough that we get confused trying to name or describe our [[⭐️ Emotions|emotions]] (1/10). ###### Keys - We can learn a lot from overwhelm, [[💡 Trigger|triggers]], and [[💡 Trigger|emotional flashbacks]] in retrospect. - [[🔑 The mind can only hold so much]] - [[🔑 Try not to make decisions or problem-solve from a place of fear]] ###### 🦮 How to help someone with Overwhelm To ask anything of someone in overwhelm is to misunderstand what they’re experiencing. Someone in overwhelm is not capable of doing much of anything — and the best thing they can do is nothing at all. Don’t try to teach someone to swim while they’re drowning. - Do not ask them many questions. - Do not allow them to make meaningful or life-altering decisions. - Do not ask them to help with anything. - Do not ask them to drive. - [[🔑 Try not to make decisions or problem-solve from a place of fear]] - Give them an [[🛠 Anchors|🛠 Anchor]]; you might offer to guide them through [[🕯️ Breathwork 💨]] or [[🕯️ Grounding]]. ###### The Neuroscience of Overwhelm When we are [[💡 Trigger|triggered]] we "Flip our lid" and our our [[💡 Reactive Protectors|Reactive Protectors]] take over to protect us.  ###### Related - [[🦮 How to Soothe Triggered Parts]] - [[🕯️ Titration]] - [[💡 Emotional Flashback]] [^1]: [[📖 Atlas of the Heart (Show)]] Episode 2