5 ways emotionally dysregulated people behave: Insights from a therapist
For the past several years, emotional dysregulation has become a popular way through which we can understand mental health related issues. It is basically the patterns of emotional experience which cause a significant deviation from gold directed activity of the functioning of an individual.
It is a condition which affects the experience of a person and the way the individual handle his emotions. It is very commonly seen in children and adolescents and can even continue into adulthood. Emotionally dysregulated individuals often finished up in over reacting or under reacting in certain situations. It happens because of the constant change of nervous system in the mode of fight or freeze. It can be manifested in various behaviours which disrupt an individual’s daily life and relationships.
Such display of extremely emotional behavioural pattern can affect work life, school, relationships and even daily life. The one who can regulate such emotions can adapt certain behavioural pattern in accordance to the situation. But if a person fails to do so, then he might have a condition that is emotional dysregulation. Although, it can not be necessarily regarded as a symptom of mental health disorder. It might indicate the symptom of various conditions such as disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.
Cause of emotional dysregulation
There are multiple factors which causes emotional dysregulation. Some of the possible causes are listed below-
- Early childhood trauma which includes child abuse or life altering experiences
- genetic factors
- lack of modelling of emotion regulations by caregivers
- chronic invalidation of emotion
- a traumatic brain injury
- mental health disorders
Some symptoms of emotional dysregulation
- Mood swings
- Impulsive behavioural patterns
- Easily irritated and frustrated
- Hard to manage emotions, in particulars the negatives one
- Anxiety or severe depression
- Hot tempered
- Physical and verbal outbursts such as crying, yelling, shouting, aggression
- Hypomania
- Difficulties in maintaining relationships
- Couldn’t manage stress
- Isolation
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
There are some common ways shared by therapist about the behaviour of emotionally dysregulated people. Some of them are listed below:
- Emotionally district related individual feels intense emotional reactions an eventually end up behaving inappropriately in accordance to the situation. even when they are mildly upset over anything, day finish up having a big reaction upon it.
- There is a rapid change of mood among emotionally dysregulated individual. It is quite common way to identify an emotional dysregulated individual. in the absence of having a clear reaction for their rapid mood change, such individual face a sudden change of their mood.
- Their emotions cannot be calm down easily as it is the result of their inability to manage their emotions as well as a longer period of distress.
- An impulsive behaviour is noticed in emotionally dysregulated individual. They did not think twice without making any decisions which may lead to another consequences. their impulsive behaviour impacts their personal life as well.
- Their unpredictable behaviour patterns and impulsive behaviour which shows their intense reactions are quite difficult to maintain a healthy relationship.
Diagnosis to treat emotional dysregulation
- Medical professionals may use medication in order to address emotional dysregulation in individuals. With a larger mental health issue. Like, Methylphenidate reduces impulsivity in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. There are some other medication programs such as antidepressants which can partially relieve the symptoms of dysregulation.
- Doctors might use psychotherapies in order to help a person so that he can overcome emotional dysregulation. Dialectic behavioural therapy is a common therapy which involves learning the necessary skills which may help a person in order to regulate their mood or emotions. From this therapy, an individual will learn how to become aware of their own thoughts and feelings and ways to deal in the stressful situations.
Another therapy involves behavioural therapy add cognitive behavioural therapy, multimodal treatment like parental interventions and pharmacotherapy some other therapies such as hypnotherapy, neurofeedback, analytic group therapy.
Strategies to gain control over emotions
- Management of emotions spurts with understanding of emotions and improved awareness around you. When you will learn to notice your emotions and observe the effect that it is producing, then your emotions will be brought to consciousness. It will ensure the control over emotions and will encourage you to direct them. Instead of an outburst of your emotions, you will be now able to control and direct them.
- Secondly, you should take care of your own body. A person who doesn’t pay attention to exercise, nourishment and doesn’t prefer a regular sleep, he or she is not likely to keep their body and mind healthy. In order to take care of your body, prioritise eating healthy food items. Avoid the consumption of mood-altering drugs. Practice exercise either in morning or evening. A healthy sleep is necessary for a healthy body and mind. Following all such strategies, you will be able to take care of your own body which will help in decreasing emotional vulnerability.
- If you are dealing with any intense emotions or situation, then you should follow this technique. Firstly, take a deep pause for a moment. Notice the passage of air inside and outside your body. Observe the focus of attention and why and for what are you reacting to. Observe the sensations that you are noticing in your body and the thoughts which are coming in your mind right now. Now take another way of looking at this situation which will provide a more reasonable explanation. At last, you should practice the best thing that you should do and right for you.
- Furthermore, you can practice some mind body practices like yoga, breath work and a variety of therapies and exercises which are important element in order to keep your body calm and regulate the nervous system throughout the trauma healing journey.
Conclusion:
A person dealing with emotional dysregulation has difficulty regarding the regulation of their emotion. They may feel overwhelmed sometimes, yet can have difficulties in order to control their impulsive behaviour which may result in angry outburst. Such intense behaviour may result in trouble with work, school, daily life and relationship.
There are certain mental health conditions such as DMDD, BPD and ADHD. Such mental health conditions are often associated with emotional dysregulation by medical professionals. A regular therapy and medication can help a person to manage their emotional dysregulation.
