Are you experiencing more emotional ‘triggers’ than usual? Are you easily overwhelmed or overly emotional, or do you tend to cry without reason? Is your anxiety level at an all-time high, making you yearn for a drink or drugs? You may be suffering from emotional dysregulation.
What Is Emotional Dysregulation?
Emotional dysregulation means you cannot manage how you emotionally respond to a situation. It also means you cannot calm down when sad, upset, or overwhelmed.
When your emotions are dysregulated, your nervous system enters one of four responses:
- Fight
- Flight
- Freeze
- Fawn
These responses determine how you respond to a perceived threat. However, your body can also enter one of these responses without danger. This causes feelings of anxiety and depression and can make you struggle to get your emotions under control.
The biggest problem with emotional dysregulation is that it can lead to harmful behaviour. This may include:
- Alcohol abuse or drug use
- Dangerous impulsivity
- Self-harm
- Suicidal ideation
Why Does Emotional Dysregulation Happen?
If you suffer a trauma, you may be more prone to emotional dysregulation. This also applies to childhood trauma. Research has revealed a link between childhood trauma caused by parents and emotional dysregulation. The link is especially evident in people suffering from borderline personality disorder, of which emotional dysregulation is a symptom.
You could also experience emotional dysregulation symptoms if you suffered a traumatic brain injury in the past. TBI survivors tend to get angry quickly and are not always able to calm themselves down.
Some people have uncontrolled crying or laughing episodes. This is because their TBI causes damage to the part of the brain that is supposed to regulate their emotions.
Moreover, if your brain chemistry is off-balance, it could also cause emotional dysregulation. Research shows that low serotonin levels and activity can lead to anger. Unfortunately, it can also lead to a relapse into destructive behaviours, such as substance abuse.
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How to Recognize Emotional Dysregulation
If you suspect you may be experiencing emotional dysregulation, there are several symptoms to look out for.
- You may become hysterically upset or experience excessive anger at minor inconveniences.
- You may notice that you are drawn to impulsive activities.
- You may be unable to control your moods, especially if you feel negative or down.
- You may also not be able to get rid of feelings of anger or negativity.
If you have one or more of these symptoms, getting help to re-regulate your emotions is crucial. If you do not do anything, your emotional dysregulation may become severe and cause:
- Dangerous or violent outbursts towards people and animals
- Conflict between yourself and your loved ones
Mental Health Conditions and Emotional Dysregulation
Sometimes, emotional dysregulation is a symptom of a mental health issue. These issues may include the above-mentioned borderline personality disorder. They may also include bipolar, obsessive-compulsive, and anxiety disorders.
Furthermore, autism spectrum disorder and ADHD may also worsen emotional dysregulation symptoms.
It is also true that substance abuse and alcohol abuse can cause or make emotional dysregulation worse. Any other condition affecting your brain’s work may also cause dysregulation symptoms. These include a stroke, meningitis, seizures, and tumours.
How to Re-Regulate Your Emotions
If you have been experiencing emotional dysregulation as a child, chances are you will keep having symptoms until you receive treatment.
You must get to the cause of your dysregulation symptoms to ensure you receive the right treatment or therapy.
Therapies and programs designed to re-regulate emotions include:
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Mindfulness techniques
Dialectical behaviour therapy focuses on changing thought patterns and destructive behaviours. If you experience intense emotions or show signs of borderline personality disorder, DBT can help you learn healthy ways to cope with your symptoms.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a psychology-based treatment that can help you overcome a range of conditions that may be causing or exacerbating your dysregulated emotions. These include alcohol and drug use, eating disorders, depression, and mental illness.
Abstinence programs will also be helpful if you are struggling with substance abuse.
Why You Need a Professional Care Team
Emotional dysregulation can severely impact your life and your relationships. It can also affect your overall well-being. This is especially true if there is alcohol and drug abuse involved.
While you may not want to seek help for whatever reason, a professional care team is something you should seriously consider.
A team of clinical professionals understands the link between mental health conditions and emotional dysregulation. They also understand the various shades of grey and how many other causes there may be for emotional dysregulation.
This is also why a professional care team can offer patient-specific therapies and coping mechanisms.
Furthermore, a care team examines your situation from an unbiased perspective. The team can help you identify emotional or trauma-related causes of your symptoms. And they can suggest the right interventions.
Sometimes, emotional dysregulation can cause an emotional crisis. A care team can provide crisis intervention and ongoing support.
Overall, getting help from a qualified care team will help you manage your symptoms. It will also help you rebuild your relationships and improve your quality of life.
How HARP Can Help You Re-Regulate Your Emotions
HARP’s celebrated 5-step methodology can help you manage emotional dysregulation. The organization’s 5i curriculum includes AOD and Mental Health Science, abstinence programs, and cognitive behavioural therapy.
These components comprise a five-module program to help you regain control of your life and emotions.
Whether you only want help with emotional dysregulation or also need assistance with alcohol or drug rehabilitation, HARP can help you. The highly qualified HARP support team is led by expert psychologists, doctors, nurses, counsellors, and alcohol and drug specialists.
These experienced clinical staff members ensure effective and personalized therapies for all patients.
HARP offers intensive after-rehab support to ensure you stick to your therapies and treatments.
The Hills & Ranges Private facilities offer a holistic treatment environment in the Dandenong Forests. Here, your treatment will coincide with stunning outdoor views and relaxation activities.
Do not let emotional dysregulation and subsequent harmful behaviours ruin your life. Build your professional support team with HARP today and get the help you need.
