The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology)

This book compiles, for the first time, Stephen W. Porges's decades of research. A leading expert in developmental psychophysiology and developmental behavioral neuroscience, Porges is the mind behind the groundbreaking Polyvagal Theory, which has startling implications for the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and autism. Adopted by clinicians around the world, the Polyvagal Theory has provided exciting new insights into the way our autonomic nervous system unconsciously mediates social engagement, trust, and intimacy.

Porges (psychiatry, U. of Illinois at Chicago) presents his research on the behavioral neurobiology of emotions, affect regulation, social behavior, and other psychological processes and implications for the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and autism. His polyvagal theory posits that bodily states and mental constructs interact with environmental triggers to create maladaptive behaviors, as the nervous system assesses risk and processes information from the environment through the senses and the neural regulation of the heart provides humans with the ability to express emotion, communicate, and regulate bodily and behavioral states in social situations. He argues that this control of the heart is linked to control of the muscles of the face and head. He details the theory and its ideas, including vagal brake, self-regulation, development, emotion, evolution and dissolution, immobilization without fear, the social engagement system, attachment, love and monogamy, neuroception, prosody and vocal communication, clinical applications, and current work redefining social neuroscience. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

A collection of groundbreaking research by a leading figure in neuroscience.

This book compiles, for the first time, Stephen W. Porges's decades of research. The world's leading expert on the autonomic nervous system, Porges is the mind behind the groundbreaking Polyvagal Theory, which has startling implications for the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and autism.

Stephen W. Porges, PhD, is a professor of psychiatry and the director of the Brain-Body Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He lives in Chicago.