Sometimes, when we talk about nervous system regulation, it feels like we’re talking about a part of ourselves that isn’t really us.
There’s me—the rational, wise version. And then there’s my nervous system over there, running amok.
But really, it’s just two parts of the same brain:
* The sophisticated brain: our executive functions, logical reasoning, critical thinking, emotional regulation.
* The primitive brain: our survival system, constantly scanning for danger, ready to react.
Characters in Conversation
I like to think of my primitive nervous system as David Rose from Schitt’s Creek—dramatic, over-reactive, and always ready to spiral. But just like David, sometimes he gets it right.
My sophisticated brain? That’s Patrick. Calm, grounded, and a little bit sarcastic. Patrick doesn’t shut David down, but he keeps things in perspective and helps him regulate. Sees the world more as it is, uses humour to reduce the stress and just lovingly brings things back toward safety.
A friend of mine said her nervous system is more like the Demogorgon from Stranger Things—unpredictable, monstrous, and overwhelming at times. And honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what it feels like.
Why This Works
Personifying your nervous system takes away some of the shame and it's fun. You’re not failing at calm. You just have a very dramatic David—or a very loud Demogorgon—doing their thing. The trick is to let your Patrick step in and help balance it out. Whether your stress response feels more like David or more like the Demogorgon, you are not alone. Stick around to learn to be more like Patrick.
Myth: “Your nervous system is just being dramatic — be more determined, work harder or just tell it to back down.”
That’s like telling David Rose to simply fold in the cheese. (Spoiler: it doesn’t work.) Remember, never in the history of stress, has telling someone to "relax" worked.
Reality: Your nervous system is dramatic sometimes, but it’s also trying to protect you. The trick isn’t to ignore it — it’s to let your “Patrick” step in and balance the drama with perspective, with humour, with body based tools.
