Your Nervous System is Trying to Help You

Many of the reactions we struggle with, including anxiety, shutdown, irritability, overwhelm, aren't signs that something is “wrong” with us. They are signs, but not signs that we're flawed. They're signs that our nervous system is processing information that something might be dangerous.. These reactions are how the human nervous system is doing its best to keep us safe.

The nervous system’s job is protection. When it senses stress, uncertainty, or overload, it shifts into survival mode. This might look like hypervigilance, avoidance, emotional flooding, or exhaustion. These responses are not choices or character flaws. They are automatic and deeply human.

For many people, especially those who are neurodivergent or have experienced chronic stress or trauma, the nervous system becomes extra sensitive. It reacts faster and more intensely, even when danger isn’t present. That doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means your nervous system learned to adapt to the environment and is still looking for danger.

Therapy isn’t about forcing yourself to “calm down” or override these responses but focusing on understanding them. When we learn how our nervous system works, we can respond with self-compassion instead of self-criticism. Sometimes therapy isn't about becoming the best version of yourself but learning to accept "the worst version" of yourself, which may actually be your nervous system in survival mode.

Support, like therapy, can help your system feel safer over time. And when safety increases, coping and flexibility follow.