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Day #6 of 8 Physiological

effectsof love and loss

Day #6 of 8 Physiological

effectsof love and loss

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The Psychology of Love & LossThe Physiological Effects of Love &

LossDay #6 of 8

Adaptive Function ofthe Autonomic Nervous System

(Hans Seyle)

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Psychological Hardiness/Resilience

The Autonomic Nervous System

It is the interface between our central nervous system and our internal organs, glands, and smooth muscle tissue.

It serves to monitor and regulate our internal environment.

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The Autonomic Nervous System

Parasympathetic Branch

Relaxed & Safe (old home) Adapted/Habituated Bladder Walls

contract Bladder Sphincter Muscle

is not contracted Conserve energy

(Sleep/Feed&Breed) Lacrimal gland secretes Possible Parasympathetic

Overshoot after intense excitement

Sympathetic Branch

• Excited & On Alert (new)• Novelty Effect – Orienting• Bladder Walls

are not contracted• Bladder Sphincter Muscle

contracts• Burn energy

(Fight/Flight&Freeze)• Dry/burning eyes

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The Autonomic Nervous System

Parasympathetic Branch

Relaxed & Safe (old home)

(…from Polyvagal Theory) The receptive Social Engagement System links face & heart responses.Dampens the stress response for enjoyable social interaction.

Sympathetic Branch

• Excited & On Alert (new)• Fight/Flight/Freeze responses

• Shut-down behaviors• Dissociative experiences• Fainting

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HANS SELYE• Hans Hugo Bruno Selye, was a pioneering Hungarian

endocrinologist. He conducted much important scientific work on the hypothetical non-specific response of an organism to stressors. Wikipedia

• Born: January 26, 1907, Vienna

• Died: October 16, 1982, Montreal

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• Alarm• Resistance• Exhaustion

Hans Selye’sGeneral Adaptation SyndromeGeneral Adaptation Syndrome

G.A.S.G.A.S.“The body’s non-specific response

to stressful events.”

AlarmAlarm ResistanceResistance

General Adaptation Syndrome

AlarmAlarm ResistanceResistance

General Adaptation Syndrome

AlarmAlarm ResistanceResistance

General Adaptation Syndrome

PSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESSPSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESSPSYCHOPSYCHOSOMATICSOMATIC ILLNESS ILLNESSIllness affected by the interaction of

the mind (psyche) and the body (soma)

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is the multidisciplinary study of the interaction between psychological processes and the nervous and immune systems of the human body. 

Instances include the following: Respiratory, cardio-vascular, muscular, sleep, gastro-intestinal, anxiety-related, nervous-system, immune-system (viral & allergy), and attention-related (slip-and-fall injuries).

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Categories of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.)

Intrusive Avoidant Hyperarousal

Intrusive Avoidant Hyperarousal

Recurrent intrusive

memories of the trauma

Avoiding thoughts, feelings or

conversations about the trauma

Difficulty falling asleep or

staying asleep

Recurrent and distressing

dreams of the trauma

Avoiding activities, places

or people that remind of the

trauma

Difficulty concentrating

CATEGORIES OF P.T.S.D.

Intrusive Avoidant Hyperarousal

Flashbacks of the trauma

Difficulty remembering

important aspects of the

trauma

Feeling alert or watchful when

there is no need to be

Intense psychological distress when

exposed to reminders

Loss of interest or pleasure in

normal activities

Feeling distant or cut off from

others

Exaggerated and frequent

startle response

CATEGORIES OF P.T.S.D.

Intrusive Avoidant Hyperarousal

Physical distress when reminded (heart racing,

shaking)

Difficulty experiencing

normal feelings such as love

and happiness

Feeling that the future will be

cut short

CATEGORIES OF P.T.S.D.

• A symbolic representation of change

• Two responses to the reality of changeright-side up or up-side down

THE TAROT CARDTHE TAROT CARDDEATH CARDDEATH CARD

Represents the death of the old self. Not only physical death.

Transformation. Change. Destruction followed by transformation. A change in consciousness. Looking forward towhat will be. Renewal.

Change.

right-side up

I don’t want anything to change. Start at (00:49)

up-side down

• DABDADenial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance

• BargainingCounterfactual Thinkingis a form of retro-active bargaining.

DABDA-REVISITED

We create our reality based on how we perceive the energy

in the universe.

Counterfactual Thinking:our tendency to imagine alternatives to reality. 

(a) We think about how things could have turned out differently. “If only...”, &(b) We imagine, “What if...?”

These thoughts affect our emotions

and our overt behaviors. After an accident…

COUNTERFACTUAL THINKINGour tendency to imagine alternatives to reality 

Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky pioneered the study of counterfactual thought, showing that people tend to think 'if only' more often about exceptional events than about normal events. 

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There are manydifferent possible futuresand only one life to live.

There are manydifferent possible futuresand only one life to live.

Commitmentto one of the possible

alternatives adds clarityand reduces uncertainty.

Commitmentto one of the possible

alternatives adds clarityand reduces uncertainty.

Counterfactual Thinking• Upward comparisons

with better possible outcomes trigger regret. Remorse after loss.

• The capacity to experience regret is uniquely derived from counterfactual thinking.

• Downward comparisons with worse possible outcomes trigger relief. Gratitude after love.

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•Control•Challenge•Commitment

The Three C’sThe Three C’sCharacteristics ofCharacteristics of

Psychological Hardiness/ResiliencePsychological Hardiness/Resilience

CONTROLInternalInternalLocus of Locus of ControlControl

ExternalExternalLocus of Locus of ControlControl

Empowered FatedDecision Maker Order TakerDanger Avoider Helpless

CHALLENGEOptimisticOptimistic PessimisticPessimisticLemonade

MakerLemon

Lamenter Opportunity

FocusLoss Focus

See a Silver Lining

See a Storm Cloud

Feels Fortunate Feels AbusedThe CarThe Car

&&The HomeThe Home

COMMITMENTEnergy for theEnergy for theMoral CenterMoral Center

Energy for the Energy for the MarginalizedMarginalized

This is for me! This is for them!This helps me! This hurts me!

I am energized!

I am drained!

Feels Fortunate

participating in this

relationship

Feels Used & Abused

participating inthis relationship

Directions

• At the end of each day, write down three things that happened to you for which you are grateful.

• Everyday, share your gratitude with another person.

The Three Blessings The Three Blessings ExerciseExercise

Elizabeth Taylor talks about

Beauty

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Optimism

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The End.

As we take everything to

heart, may we be receptive and

enjoy all the fruitsof our lives.