01/15/2026
Dysregulation alludes to an out of context reaction or symptoms that do not align with the nature of stimulus being perceived or experienced.
We’ve gotten very comfortable with the word and idea of our experiences, expressions and suppressions being a form of regulation- so much so that we often lump everything uncomfortable or perceived as negative into the category of dysregulation behaviour.
Here’s the thing.. what often feels dysregulating, symptomatic or otherwise uncomfortable isn’t always necessarily out of context for the environment we are in or the process our body is unfolding.
Yes, we can certainly have presentations in the body or ways of being that are textbook dysregulation and considered “pathological”.. this is common within post traumatic presentations and in complex injury rehab. This post is not addressing that specific presentation.
That being said, sensations, symptoms or emotions that don’t feel within your tolerance or comfort level aren’t automatically dysregulation.
Part of somatic work and skilled injury rehab is supporting you in engaging with the body’s language, the language of the healing process as well as (and in reflection with) the context of the day, the environment and the world at large.
A lot of the time through this process we realize that the reaction the body is having is quite context appropriate.
The body is technically always regulating, returning to its sense of homeostasis, on some level. You wouldn’t be reading this post otherwise. Much of what we label as dysregulated behaviours or symptoms are actually the body regulating in its most familiar and proven ways.
Curiosity about how your behaviour (even the ones you don’t like or want to change) is actually supportive to some part or layer of your lived experience can be the step that follows recognizing and noticing a potential “dysregulated” state in the first place.
