🔼: [[⭐️ Internal Family Systems]] ##### Polarization The word [[⭐️ Internal Family Systems|Internal Family Systems]] assigns to an instance in which two or more [[💡 Protector Parts]] take opposing views and conflict or compete toward opposing goals.[^1] Polarizations are not simple disagreements, they are adversarial, competitive. [[🔑 Each Protector thinks they know best]], and they often debate with one another about the best way forward, so they take sides and form teams. They then each grow increasingly extreme out of fear of the other side taking over and can thereby obscure [[💡 Presence|Presence]]. Polarizations often inspire [[💡 Anxiety|anxiety]], and another [[💡 Protector Parts|Protector]] may pull us away from that anxiety which often causes us to forget the polarization even exists. As it continues to escalate, other polarizations arise and compound and grow in complexity. The more polarized our inner-ecosystem is, the more destabilized and extreme it becomes. ###### Keys - [[🔑 Polarizations can lead to Protectors-in-Exile]] - [[🔑 We have a right and responsibility to say No]] - [[🔑 Polarized parts can use the body as a battleground]] - [[🔑 All parts can polarize]] - [[🔑 Polarizations create vicious cycles]] - 🔑 Polarizations can keep us feeling stuck and massively contribute to our [[💡 Cognitive Load|Cognitive Load]] - 🔑 Polarizations can be a sign that [[🕯️ Boundaries]] need to be put in place ###### Why Parts Polarize[^2] 1. Power Dynamics and Homeostasis - [[🔑 Protectors are dedicated to maintaining their idea of safety, balance and homeostasis]], and [[🔑 Each Protector thinks they know best]] 2. Protection of [[💡 Exiles]] - [[🔑 Our inner family is an ecosystem]], [[💡 Protector Parts|Protectors]] are never just by themselves. There are vulnerable [[💡 Exiles|Exiles]] being protected, and [[🔑 Protectors are dedicated to maintaining their idea of safety, balance and homeostasis]]. The protectors involved in the polarization might be protecting the same or different exiles. 3. [[🛡️ Self-Distraction|Distraction]] - [[💡 Protector Parts]] can use a polarization to distract us from going deeper into our ecosystem. We sometimes get stuck in [[💡 Decision Fatigue]] because there's something deeper that needs to be worked with, but our protectors don't want us to go there. - If two [[💡 Parts]] refuse to stand down or step back, or if more start coming in, ask if they’re actually trying to bring up something important or if they're trying to distract. ###### Going Deeper - [[🦮 How Polarizations soften and resolve]] ###### See Also - [[💡 Conflict]] [^1]: [[📖 🟡 Internal Family Systems Therapy, Second Edition]] [^2]: [[📖 ✅ IFS Online Circle]] Month 4 - Conflicting but Complimentary & Direct Access and In-Sight: A Decision - Month 4 with Toni Herbine-Blank