A dysregulated nervous system involves a hypervigilant state where the person is ready to respond to anything as a threat..Trauma or any childhood adversity affects our body, our nervous system. Even unmet emotional needs give you the same pain as any physical pain. People with dysregulated nervous systems would have grown up in unsafe and volatile environments. They become hypervigilant because it helps them to survive in such an environment to keep them emotionally safe. They develop unworkable patterns to detach from their pain which could be self harm, addictions, fainting or any impulsive behaviours than promise pleasure. These responses help them temporarily dissociate from their body by detaching themselves from pain, guilt or shame. Many marginalised population in our society have been going through various situations where they accumulate pain, hurt and discrimination. Only in a trauma informed space, they get a space to be addressed..

Having said that, dysregulated nervous systems are often confused with Personality disorders. Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness that  severely upsets a person’s emotional regulation skills.This may result in dangerous impulsive behaviours, negative self-image, harmful self-talk, and damage to relationships with others. Uncontrollable emotional responses is also a characteristic of personality disorder and makes it often confused with nervous dysregulation.