The Unease Modulation Model
The Unease Modulation (UM) Model was developed by Dr. Joseph Arpaia as a means to treat patients experiencing stress in a variety of situations. The UM Model is built upon the mathematical formulations, called Ibernetics, that Dr. Arpaia developed over 30 years of practice as a physician and psychiatrist. Rooted in the study of mathematical models of consciousness and chaos theory, cognitive neuroscience, stress physiology, and Eastern and Western contemplative traditions, these mathematical formulations map the communication and feedback processes that create a self.
Despite its complex foundation, the UM Model is intuitive, experiential, and easily understood by a wide variety of people.The model gives people precise descriptions of the different components of stress and allows them to apply specific techniques that affect each component. The model gives people precise descriptions of different components of stress and allows them to apply specific techniques that affect each component. The techniques have helped patients deal with medical and mental health conditions, helped first responders improve their performance under pressure, and helped people of all sorts lead healthier and happier lives by reducing interpersonal tension at home and at work.
How It Works
The UM Model is based on several key principles. The first is that stress is caused by the combination of Difficulty and Unease. Difficulty is the level of effort necessary to complete a task measured against our available resources (such as time, social, financial, etc.). Unease is our feeling of desire or aversion associated with the task or an anticipated outcome.
Unease is not an emotion, but it influences our emotional state in both positive and negative directions. For example, Unease about safety can lead to a feeling of fear, while unease about a desired outcome can cause excitement.
The underlying foundation of the model is simple: when Unease decreases, we experience a sensation of pleasure. This sensation makes us want to continue reducing unease, even with behaviors that actually increase Difficulty. The emphasis on Unease can prevent us from accurately evaluating the situation at hand. In many situations, Unease is disproportional to the task at hand, causing an overestimation of Difficulty and unnecessary stress.
Unease influences stress by amplifying Activation responses in the body. These are often associated with the sympathetic nervous system (SMP). This Activation response drains our energetic resources, the same resources we need to draw on in order to overcome Difficulty and complete a task.
To counteract Activation, we need to initiate a Modulation response. Modulation is associated with our parasympathetic nervous system (PMP), and works to replenish our energetic reserves. The UM model demonstrates how practical relaxation techniques that restore our resources can help to moderate stress. This is done, in part, by identifying sources of Unease in a situation and applying specific actions, such as mindfulness and breathing, to counteract the effects of stress that deplete our resources.
Practical Applications
Health and Wellness
Many health conditions can be looked at through the lens of the UM Model, including anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders often involve a feedback loop between Unease and Activation that increases both responses. In some forms of anxiety (such as performance or social) the Unease is triggered by external stimuli. For others (such as generalized anxiety) the Unease is triggered by internal stimuli, like our emotions and fears.
To treat conditions such as these, a person can re-train their mind to better asses difficulty and likely outcomes. This includes desensitization to the underlying source of Unease and learning how to correctly assess the demands and resources of a situation.
The UM Model can also assist with treating chronic pain, depression, PTSD, and addiction.
First Responders
Paramedics, firefighters, and police officers routinely encounter situations that are defined by high Difficulty and high Unease (e.g. a fatal car accident or a violent domestic abuser).
The UM Model predicts that the first responder will experience high Activation in these situations. This Activation is necessary to deal with the physical demands, but is also likely to impair the skills necessary to appropriately address the situation.
To reduce errors in these situations, first responders must train to increase Modulation, not to reduce Activation. Increasing Modulation allows the first responder to think clearly and apply their training in stressful situations.
We’ve tested and seen this prediction born out through research studies with various police forces around the world.
Family Relationships
Unease spreads rapidly among people who are emotionally connected and can have a significant impact on family harmony. When Unease is high in one member, it tends to increase for rest of the family. As the Unease spreads, the increase in Activation causes their cognitive and social skills to deteriorate.
Often the family does not realize how these physiologic changes have impaired their ability to communicate effectively. To treat this, we can use the UM Model to teach one or more family members how to Modulate and separate Unease from Difficulty.
Training one family member to Modulate and stay grounded can improve Modulation in the other family members as well. They regain their interpersonal skills and are able to restore the family harmony.
How We Use It
Since the UM Model illustrates how Unease influences stress, it allows us to take a practical approach to stress-management by assessing and regulating our Unease. The model can be applied to a variety of situations, including procrastination, forming healthy habits, insomnia, workplace interactions, and family conflicts. The methods for regulating Unease will differ in every situation, and can include metacognitive skills development, desensitization, mindfulness and relaxation, etc.
At Ibernetics, we use our knowledge of the UM Model to develop educational resources focused on addressing stress in a particular situation. We pair this knowledge with heart-rate variability bio-feedback training to track participants’ stress responses in real time. This allows them to see the physical effect of stress on their body. By understanding the components of stress and how they interact, we can deal with stress precisely and increase our effectiveness.
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