The Window of Tolerance
The ‘Window of Tolerance’ is a term created by Dr. Dan Siegel. Siegel believes everyone has a window of tolerance. When someone is in their window they are able to function effectively. They can think clearly and they can respond appropriately.
There are many things that can cause someone to fall out of their window of tolerance, including times of extreme stress or trauma. When people fall out of their window they normally either ‘fall up’ and experience a period of hyperarousal or ‘fall down’ and experience a period of hypoarousal.
Hyperarousal may make someone hyper vigilant, anxious or aggressive. Hyperarousal can feel like a volcano exploding. It is also called the fight or flight response.
Hypoarousal may make someone feel numb, empty or silent. Hypoarousal can feel like falling down. It is also called the freeze or flop response.
Periods of stress can shrink the window of tolerance, but with practice the window of tolerance can be made larger.
It can be beneficial to think about what you do when you are stressed. Knowing if you explode or shut down can help you identify the times you feel most stressed. Working out the triggers that cause you to be dysregulated, and move out of your window of tolerance, can help you to widen your window.
Grounding techniques, mindfulness and, where necessary, therapy can help to increase the window of tolerance and stop someone becoming dysregulated and feeling overwhelmed.
I can highly recommend the books of Dr. Dan Siegel. The Whole Brain Child explains brain development, how and why the brain reacts in certain ways and what you can do to support brain development.
