Psychological Withdrawal From Overstimulation
Learn why overstimulation withdrawal mimics depressive symptoms.
The Flattening That Protects
Flattening protects.
Intensity spreads out instead of striking.
This cushioning prevents harm when stimulation is constant.
Reframing flattening as protection
restores respect for the body’s wisdom.
Reframe flattening as protection with DojoWell.
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Articles exploring the psychology behind these patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I feel so "flat" or unenthusiastic, even about things I love?
This "Flattening" is a protective structural state. It acts like a shock absorber for your nervous system, allowing you to absorb overload without crashing. When the world is too intense, your system reduces its "peak height" to keep you in a manageable middle range. While this flatness can feel dull, it is actually saving you from a state of total Threat-collapse. It is your body's way of maintaining integrity during a meaning crisis.
Is this flatness a permanent state?
No. Flatness is a "dynamic adaptation." It is only active as long as the system feels "overloaded." Once you begin to close your open loops and reduce the "low-density" triggers in your environment, the need for the shock absorber diminishes. Your system will slowly re-introduce the "peaks and valleys" of emotion as it gains the structural strength to handle them without being overwhelmed.