Autonomic dysregulation and the window of tolerance model of the effects of complex emotional trauma

dc.contributor.authorCorrigan, F. M., Fisher, J. J., & Nutt, D. J.
dc.date.accessioned2017-08-08T16:20:08Z
dc.date.available2017-08-08T16:20:08Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.description.abstractThis paper reviews the Window of Tolerance model of the long-term effects of the severe emotional trauma associated with childhood abuse, a model which can also be applied to adult trauma of sufficient severity to cause post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic dysthymic disorders and chronic anxiety disorders. Dysfunctional behaviours such as deliberate self-harm and substance abuse are seen as efforts to regulate an autonomic nervous system which is readily triggered into extreme states by reminders of the original traumatic events. While midbrain areas such as the periaqueductal gray mediate instant defence responses to traumatic events and their memory triggers it is proposed that ascending monoaminergic tracts are implicated in longer-term changes in mood and arousal. An imbalance of ascending dopaminergic tracts may drive rapid fluctuations in level of arousal and in the associated mood, drive and motivation. Animal models of depression frequently use traumatic experiences of pain, isolation or social defeat to induce changes in mesolimbic and mesocortical dopamine systems which may alter prefrontal cortical control of midbrain defence responses. A focus on the pharmacology of the Window of Tolerance could provide advances in drug treatments for promoting emotional regulation in those who are suffering from the chronic sequelae of traumatic experiences.en_US
dc.identifier.citationCorrigan, F. M., Fisher, J. J., & Nutt, D. J. (2011). Autonomic dysregulation and the window of tolerance model of the effects of complex emotional trauma. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 25(1), 17-25.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Frank_Corrigan/publication/41111427_Autonomic_dysregulation_and_the_Window_of_Tolerance_Model_of_the_effects_of_complex_emotional_trauma/links/00b49521867c5dcc36000000.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11212/3498
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherJournal of Psychopharmacologyen_US
dc.subjectcomplex traumaen_US
dc.subjectwindow of toleranceen_US
dc.subjectAscending dopamine systemsen_US
dc.subjectautonomic dysregulationen_US
dc.subjectdysfunctional behavioursen_US
dc.titleAutonomic dysregulation and the window of tolerance model of the effects of complex emotional traumaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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