# The Shutdown State: Dorsal Vagal Collapse

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/stuck-not-broken-765818/the-shutdown-state-dorsal-vagal-collapse
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/stuck-not-broken-765818/the-shutdown-state-dorsal-vagal-collapse.md
Podcast: [Stuck Not Broken](https://stenobird.com/podcast/stuck-not-broken-765818)
Published: 2026-07-22T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: http://www.stucknotbroken.com
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/1a3d1c56-f715-4ebd-b66c-c7b881b3192f.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/stuck-not-broken-765818/episodes/the-shutdown-state-dorsal-vagal-collapse
Duration seconds: 831

## Resource

Sometimes the body's answer to too much isn't panic, it's the opposite: going quiet, going numb, wanting to disappear. That's shutdown, the bottom of the Polyvagal ladder, and it's where a lot of what gets called depression actually lives. Here's what it feels like from the inside, why your body would ever reach for it, and the slow, gentle way back up. No pushing through, no forcing it. 👉 New here? Find your stuck state, and your starting place: https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck Or go straight to what's best for you: 👉 Start free in the community: https://www.stucknotbroken.com/start 📘 Prefer to read, or want to support the show?: https://www.stucknotbroken.com/books 🎧 Practice on your own with the Self-Regulation Coach app: https://studio.com/justin/self-regulation-coach 👥 Prefer company? Move through it alongside others in the Unstucking Academy: https://www.stucknotbroken.com/unstuckingacademy 😊 About the Host: Justin Sunseri is a therapist and coach committed to helping you live with calm, confidence, and connection without psychobabble or woo-woo. Justin is the author of the Stuck Not Broken book series, a member of the Polyvagal Institute's Editorial Board, a father of two, and a husband. ✅ Crisis resources: National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 988 National Domestic Violence Hotline -1 (800) 799-7233 LGBT Trevor Project Lifeline - 1 (866) 488-7386 National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1 (800) 656-4673 Crisis Text Line - Text “HOME” to 741741 Call 911 for an emergency This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy.  Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship.  Please consult with your therapist or see…

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## Transcript

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