Definition
Developmental arousal load is elevated baseline threat tone from early environments — the adult nervous system still prices risk higher than the present ledger suggests.
Origin
Developmental and trauma synthesis (The Body Keeps the Score) — early caregiving calibrates autonomic set-points.
Mechanism
Adult ambition spikes can trigger disproportionate alarm not because the move is wrong but because baseline load is high. Titrate Tactical Stress reps; do not shame the amplitude.
Applications
Separate child-era load from this week’s real risk list. Pair Somatic trauma imprint and Biology (MoC).
Sources
Cite
- The Body Keeps the Score. Penguin Books.