AUTHOR: 
AERYN O'HALLORAN

DATE: 
JUNE 4th, 2025


Dysregulation vs. Dysfunction

(and Why It Matters for Healing)

Dysregulation Vs Dysfunction

(and why it matters for healing)

If you read my last blog, you already know: there’s no reset button for the nervous system. What you can do is recalibrate it—gently, intentionally, and in a way that works with your body instead of against it. But here’s something I need to say clearly:
Not all nervous systems are operating from the same place.

For some, the system is dysregulated—stuck in a temporary stress pattern.
For others, the system is in a state of dysfunction—where the patterns have become chronic, layered, and complex. Knowing the difference matters. Because the way we talk about healing—what we expect, how we measure progress, and what tools we lean on—should shift depending on what the body is actually navigating.



Why This Distinction Matters

I  see this all the time: people try nervous system tools, and when they don’t “work,” they blame themselves. They assume they’re too sensitive, too far gone, too broken.

But the problem isn’t you—it’s the way nervous system healing is often presented. It’s the pacing, the expectations, and the oversimplified advice that ignores the reality of long-term nervous system dysfunction. Because when someone in a state of dysfunction hears “just regulate your nervous system,” it can feel like a slap in the face. You don't need to try harder. You need an approach that actually meets you where you are.






Dysfunction is deeper, more complex, and often more physically disruptive than dysregulation;
it requires different expectations, pacing, and long-term support.

Signs You Might Be Dealing with Dysfunction

If you’ve been dealing with things like:

  • Food or chemical sensitivities
  • Energy crashes that don’t respond to rest
  • Hormonal chaos or menstrual irregularity
  • Chronic inflammation or autoimmune flares
  • Orthostatic issues like POTS
  • Sensory overload that’s unpredictable

…it’s likely you’re not just dysregulated. You’re experiencing nervous system dysfunction.

And that’s not a life sentence. But it is a cue to approach your healing like a slow, full-body rewiring—not a quick fix.


If you’ve been dealing with things like:

  • Food or chemical sensitivities
  • Energy crashes that don’t respond to rest
  • Hormonal chaos or menstrual irregularity
  • Chronic inflammation or autoimmune flares
  • Orthostatic issues like POTS
  • Sensory overload that’s unpredictable

…it’s likely you’re not just dysregulated. You’re experiencing nervous system dysfunction.

And that’s not a life sentence. But it is a cue to approach your healing like a slow, full-body rewiring—not a quick fix.


You’re Not Doing It Wrong

If you've already started recalibrating your nervous system—through movement, sensory modulation, functional fuel, co-regulation—you’re on the right track.

But here’s the nuance:

  • Those tools still apply when you're dealing with dysfunction
  • They just need to be used more intentionally, often in smaller doses, and with more spacious pacing
  • You may not see instant relief—but you will start to see capacity building

This is slow medicine. Not because you’re broken—but because your system is complex, intelligent, and asking for something deeper than surface-level self-care.




What to Do Now

Whether you’re dysregulated or dealing with dysfunction, the steps aren’t completely different—but the timeline, tenderness, and expectations should be.

Here’s what I recommend:

1. Map Your Patterns
Start noticing when symptoms spike, what types of stressors affect you, and how your body tries to recover.
👉 Use my free guide: Reflect & Reconnect to track your nervous system in a personalized, non-overwhelming way.

2. Layer in Recalibration Gently
The techniques I shared in my last post—movement, breath, sensory support, nature, blood sugar stabilization—are still relevant.
Just remember:

  • Small is powerful
  • Less is more
  • Consistency beats intensity
  • Safety comes before speed

3. Change the Lens
Don’t treat your body like it’s failing. Start treating it like it’s trying—every day—to protect you (because it actually is). That reframe alone can shift your healing trajectory.

GET YOUR FREE EBOOK →

" The fact that I saw change so quickly proves that the right help, the right first step, the right process makes all the difference..."

— KELLY M

— BRI L

— JAMIE R

— DANA D

— RUTH C

" I was able to accomplish all my errands and when I got home at the end of the day, I didn’t crash. That’s the first time that’s happened in years! "

"I have ups and downs in my life in general, but I am stronger now."

"I finally feel I understand exactly what I need to do to start healing my dysregulated nervous system"

"I'm back to my normal self but even better than before!"

Reflect & reconnect: healing dysfunction

regulate & rewire: sensory modulation

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