The Window of Tolerance and Vestibular Disorders

What Happens Outside the Window?

There are two sides to being outside your window of tolerance: hyperarousal and hypoarousal. Remember - your body is always aiming for internal balance, or 'homeostasis', therefore it is doing things to get you back to a state that it perceives is correct. When you're dysregulated, (this can be anything that sets the internal measuring level off and the sense of 'safety') whether by perceived imbalance vestibular wise, internal stress levels, you're not comfortable and don't feel in control.

• Hyperarousal (The "High-Energy" End): This is the high-alert zone. You may feel frustrated, agitated, anxious, or angry. This might initially give you energy to do tasks you have not done for a while! When you overdo it with a vestibular condition, your symptoms can worsen, leading to increased dizziness, brain fog, or nausea. This can also cause you to eventually feel overwhelmed and out of control. You might feel the urge to flight (retreat/had enough) or fight (engage even more). Signs of hyperarousal include sweating, racing thoughts, and trouble sleeping, concentration or dizziness.

• Hypoarousal (The "Crashed" End): This is the zone you hit when your system has been pushed past its limit and now shuts down; the 'brakes'. You may feel numb, zoned out, or disconnected both emotionally and physically. Symptoms can include exhaustion, feeling sluggish, or a decreased responsiveness. You might also struggle to concentrate or remember things.

Recognising your personal signs for each state is the first step toward expanding your window. You can do this by practicing mindfulness and other exercises. It's about learning your body's language so you can respond before you react.