The "inability to do" is one such narrative that rests at the core of some individuals, manifesting as a relentless drive to achieve, to prove worth through incessant doing. This internal dialogue is not merely a whisper of self-doubt but a roaring assertion of one's perceived shortcomings. It is connected in olyvagal termsto a high aroused sympathetic system. The second system at play is the connection system (ventral vagus) as to measure the results it is important to connect.

Consider John, for example, a CEO who, despite his towering accomplishments, secretly wrestles with the gnawing fear of being incapable. He is driven by a False Core belief that whispers incessantly, "You cannot do." In the public eye, he is a figure of success, a paragon of productivity. Yet, in the solitude of his office, John grapples with a profound sense of emptiness, a chasm that no amount of doing seems to fill.

This "inability to do" is a subjective experience, often unrelated to objective reality. It's an illusion, a mirage of incompetence that individuals like John chase tirelessly. The False Self compensates, donning the mask of an overachiever, a tireless worker who can never do enough. It is a performance, a desperate plea for validation from a world that views achievement as the ultimate currency of worth.

This compensatory behavior is rooted in vanity—a preoccupation with how one is perceived rather than how one feels. It's a dance of deceit where individuals like John perform not for their own satisfaction but to meet the gaze of an ever-watchful audience. The price of this performance is a disconnection from the body, a neglect of personal comfort and well-being for the sake of appearance.

This "inability to do" is to be regarded as a concept, an idea that individuals use to justify their relentless striving. It is a closed system impervious to external feedback, where the subjective experience of not doing enough becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The paradox of this internal struggle is that it often leads to an imposter complex. Individuals like John feel like actors in their own lives, unable to internalize their achievements. They wear success like a costume that never quite fits, haunted by the fear that someone might see through the facade and expose the "emptiness" within.

The healing journey for those caught in this False Core-False Self dynamic involves recognizing the illusory nature of this internal narrative. It requires peeling back the layers of performance to reveal the authentic self, untethered from the compulsion to do. It is about finding balance, acknowledging the spaciousness of one's essence without labeling it as emptiness or inadequacy.

True healing emerges not from doing more but from being more—from embracing the stillness within and recognizing that worth is inherent, not earned. As individuals like John navigate this path, they discover that achievement is not a salve for the soul but a distraction from the profound simplicity of just being.

Healthy and Unhealthy  levels

Obviously it is important to make distinction between balanced types and unhealty types.

The entanglement of narcissistic traits with the polyvagal theory offers a fascinating lens through which to view the physiological underpinnings of personality and behavior. When we consider a Type Three individual from the Enneagram, often characterized as hard-working and self-assured, there is a balanced engagement of the sympathetic nervous system. This balance allows for a state of readiness and action, fostering a sense of assurance and productivity.

However, when this balance tips into the extreme, the picture changes significantly. The high sympathetic arousal that accompanies the grandiose, narcissistic extreme of a Type Three reflects an overactivation of the body's fight or flight response. It indicates a state of hyperarousal where the individual is always 'on,' driven to do more, achieve more, and be seen as more—often at the expense of deeper social connections and emotional well-being.

The moderate activity of the inhibitory system (Behavioral Inhibition System - BIS), which typically helps regulate the 'brake' on our excitation, is not enough to counter the high drive from the sympathetic arousal in this extreme state. Consequently, the individual may experience high RSA (respiratory sinus arrhythmia) reactivity, but it is not leveraged effectively for emotional regulation, leading to moderate vagal tone. The vagus nerve, responsible for calming the heart and fostering social engagement, isn't activated optimally, which is crucial for building and maintaining social bonds.

Thus, the Avoidant attachment style seen in the unhealthy extremes of a Type Three individual can be understood as a result of this physiological dysregulation. They may prioritize work and achievements over relationships not solely due to a psychological preference but as a consequence of an underlying physiological state that favors mobilization and task execution over social engagement and relaxation. This state is also reflected in their RSA reactivity, which, while moderate, does not effectively facilitate a shift towards calm and connection post-stress.

In polyvagal terms, the journey of a Type Three moving from a healthy state to an unhealthy one can be seen as a move from a dynamic, well-regulated system to one where the sympathetic drive overshadows the social engagement system, leading to a focus on individual achievement and a devaluation of interpersonal relationships. This imbalance may manifest in the workplace as a relentless pursuit of success, often admired but at a hidden cost to the individual's relational and emotional landscape. It is not just a psychological shift but a physiological one that requires not just a change in mindset but also in the body's response to the world.

To understand the connection between between narcissism and the polyvagal theory.
At the heart of this study is the understanding of overt and covert narcissism and their interplay with emotional regulation, an area crucial for psychological health and social adjustment. The key to unlocking this relationship lies in the study of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) reactivity, a reflection of the heart's interbeat intervals and a beacon of physiological regulation.

OVERT Narcissism, in its overt form, often correlates with traits deemed positive, such as self-esteem and extraversion, 

COVERT Narcissism its covert counterpart tends to walk hand-in-hand with internalizing symptoms like anxiety and a propensity towards negative emotional reactivity. The conundrum that narcissism is associated with both positive and negative outcomes is one that has puzzled researchers for years.

RSA

Central to this narrative is the role of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) reactivity, the heart's rhythmic response to our breath, which serves as a window into our inner regulatory mechanisms.

The study of RSA brings a new layer of understanding to this puzzle. RSA, particularly its reactivity to stress, has been proposed as a physiological correlate of emotion regulation, and studies have shown that high resting RSA is associated with better emotional control, while a significant RSA decrease during stress could serve as a protective factor.

In the throes of overt narcissism, individuals may exhibit fewer emotion regulation difficulties, while those with covert narcissism could struggle more significantly. Interestingly, the study reveals that stress-induced RSA reactivity can moderate the effects of covert narcissism on emotion regulation difficulties, suggesting that a greater stress-induced RSA decrease may shield against the impact of covert narcissism.

Let's consider Jake, a character with overt narcissistic tendencies, often perceived as confident and charming. His high self-esteem and outgoing nature might be the life of the party, suggesting a positive outlook often linked to a robust resting RSA. For Jake, life's stresses may not dampen his spirits easily, as his RSA reactivity helps him navigate emotional waves skillfully, leaving him less prone to emotional turbulence.

In stark contrast, meet Emily, who embodies covert narcissism. She harbors a quiet anxiety and a sensitivity that often overwhelms her. Her internal world is rife with emotional reactivity, leading to a stormy sea of doubt and self-criticism. This is where RSA reactivity becomes pivotal. For Emily, a pronounced decrease in RSA during stress could act as a buffer, softening the edges of her internal chaos and providing a semblance of emotional armor.

This study not only offers a more nuanced understanding of the characteristics of narcissistic personality but also underscores the importance of physiological responses in the broader context of mental health. It suggests that RSA reactivity is not just a marker of emotion regulation but also a potential moderator in the complex relationship between narcissism and emotional wellbeing.
(source https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030105111530020X)