Clinical Psychologist Urges Women to Recognise the Signs of a Dysregulated Nervous System

MELBOURNE, Australia, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Women are becoming increasingly skilled at functioning while struggling, says Clinical Psychologist Dr Jennifer Menon, who is urging women to recognise signs of prolonged stress and trauma before reaching breaking point.

With more than 20 years' clinical experience, Dr Menon of Mind in Mind Psychology says women often continue working, caring for others and managing households while their bodies are struggling, ignoring symptoms and pushing through.

"I was no different. I kept going and sacrificed my needs as I navigated family violence, solo parenting, a near-fatal birth complication, financial hardship and, ultimately, Stage 3 breast cancer. My body told me before my brain did that enough was enough," says Dr Menon.

"When your body detects a level of threat where it feels there is no escape, it can dissociate. I was physically there, but my mind was not. I could function, work and be a parent, but my nervous system wasn't safe enough to process what was happening until I finally left."

After leaving a six-year relationship involving family violence, Dr Menon experienced shaking, insomnia and hyper-reactivity while caring for a traumatised toddler and newborn.

She began using breathing, singing and movement to regulate her nervous system.

"When I wanted to scream, I sang instead. When my body was shaking, I started dance parties in the lounge. I learned to understand and respond to my own nervous system so I could respond to my children."

Dr Menon says nervous system dysregulation should not be viewed as a character flaw or parenting failure.

"It is a physiological response to prolonged threat. Today that threat might be unresolved trauma, financial pressure, parenting a neurodivergent child or simply an endless to-do list. When we are constantly stuck in survival mode, we may not even realise what is happening."

She encourages women to look for "micro-moments of safety" throughout the day, such as taking ten slow breaths, sitting in the sun, laughing with children, calling a friend or prioritising sleep.

"When you're in fight-flight, regulation might mean discharging energy or slowing the system through walking, singing, movement or longer exhales. In shutdown, more stimulation may help, such as music, sunlight, movement or conversation. When you're relatively regulated, connection, laughter, nature, rest and enjoyment can reinforce safety."

Dr Menon is a finalist in the AusMumpreneur Awards.

ENDS