DPA

Diffuse Physiological Arousal

When two peoples communication starts to become contentious (likely to cause an argument), this can cause one or both persons emotions to become flooded or overwhelming.

Flooding causes a person to become autonomically (occurring involuntarily. unconscious reflex) aroused into a state of alarm and defense, which is called “diffuse physiological arousal” or DPA. When this happens, they will experience severe limits on their ability to process:

  1. information

  2. to listen

  3. to laugh

  4. to be affectionate

  5. to be empathetic

  6. to be creative

Signs of Diffuse Physiological Arousal

  1. increased heart rate (DPA typically happens when your heart rate reaches 100 bpm)

  2. increased vasoconstriction (increased blood pressure)

  3. reduced oxygen concentration in the blood (reduces ability to think clearly)

  4. decreased frontal lobe activation (reduces ability to think clearly)

  5. decreased blood supply to non-essential functions like the stomach (results in having feelings of a knot, queasy, or nausea)

  6. increased amygdala activation (signals the fight or flight response)

When DPA accompanies relationship conflict, it may lead to:

  1. a decrease in one’s ability to take in information (reduced hearing, reduced peripheral vision)

  2. problems with shifting their attention away from their defensive posture

  3. an increase in defensiveness and the “summarizing yourself syndrome” (keep repeating your point)

  4. a reduction in the ability to be creative in problem-solving

  5. a reduction in the ability to listen and empathize

Thus, moderating (keep in check) physiological arousal is an important skill in relationship conflict management.

The easiest and fastest way to moderate an arousal response is through grounding exercises. My personal favorite is to combine breathing techniques with self affirmations. You can try it HERE.

Other grounding exercises can be found HERE.