The Real Work with Maggie Sterling 22 - The Missing Step in Nervous System Work
7 snips
Jan 12, 2026 Discover the overlooked difference between a dysregulated and sensitized nervous system, an insight that could transform your healing journey. Learn why familiar tools might fail if your capacity is low and how to approach sensations without alarm. Maggie shares personal strategies that helped her grow resilience, emphasizing safety and acceptance. Different stages require different approaches; desensitization might be the key before tackling dysregulation. The ultimate goal? Allow your nervous system to function naturally without interference.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Capacity Explains Why Sensations Feel Scary
- Capacity determines whether sensations pass through or trigger terror in the body.
- Capacity is resilience: how much activation you can bear without a loud alarm response.
Sensitization Is Not Just More Dysregulation
- Sensitization is different from dysregulation and involves very low capacity and heightened reactivity.
- A sensitized nervous system reads safe sensations as threatening and reacts intensely.
Don't Use Regulation Tools Prematurely
- Avoid forcing standard regulation tools on a sensitized system because they can overwhelm it.
- Take a different path that first grows capacity before expecting breathing or meditation to work.