Introduction:
Certain people convey the impression of being emotionally disturbed. It is an impairment in managing and expressing emotions more than a disturbance. So, people with emotional dysregulation encounter intense feelings of sadness, irritability, anger, and frustration. They could easily break into tears and emotional and behavioral outbursts. Unfortunately, nearly fifty percent of people undergo emotional dysregulation, with the prevalence of females more than males.
What Is Emotional Dysregulation?
Emotional dysregulation is when a person presents a range of poorly amended emotions and is not met with the spectrum of emotive responses. As a result, the person has a hard time expressing and controlling their emotions. Emotional regulation can be associated with traumatic events, brain injury, and psychological disorders. The consequences of emotional dysregulation include behavioral changes, relationship conflicts, and problems with daily functioning.
What Causes Emotional Dysregulation?
Emotional dysregulation does not rely on a single cause. Besides, several factors contribute to the trouble in the emotional regulation mechanism. Scientists have unearthed that these factors result in the reduction in the response of neurotransmitters, chemical messengers maintaining the brain's chemical balance. This engages a person in heightened stress, triggering the prefrontal cortex to shut down. Those factors causing emotional dysregulation are as follows.
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Neglect - Child neglect wholly leans on the caregiver’s side as they fail to provide proper supervision, love, and care. So, the child’s basic needs like home, clothing, shelter, food, and education are not met. This culminates in inadequate physical and emotional care.
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Early Childhood Trauma - This refers to the traumatic events one encounters at the early childhood stage, the critical period of one development.
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Brain Injury - Simple or severe brain injuries result in brain dysfunction.
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Invalidation - The person’s thoughts, words, views, and feelings are recurrently unnoticed, rejected, or judged.
What Are the Symptoms of Emotional Dysregulation?
The person presents with intense emotions for any stressor. Unfortunately, people with emotional dysregulation do not quickly apprehend their feelings and issues. So, this might lead to a state of guilt or confusion over the behavior exposed. At times, they lack control over their emotions and experience the following symptoms:
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Immense emotional responses.
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Depression.
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Overwhelmed by emotions.
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Mood swings.
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Anger.
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Shame and guilt.
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Self-harm.
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Substance abuse.
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Relationship conflicts.
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Suicidal thoughts.
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Keen on perfectionism.
Besides, children with emotional dysregulation express their emotional distortions by yelling, crying, and throwing temper tantrums. For instance, they will regret talking with their parents and peers.
What Are the Disorders Related to Emotional Dysregulation?
Emotional dysregulation in childhood paves the way for other mental health disorders in later events. Hence, the succeeding conditions presenting emotional dysregulation are described below.
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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) - A borderline personality disorder is a mental health disorder affecting perceptual abilities as the way one thinks and feels about self and others. This precipitates problems in every aspect of daily functioning. Therefore, the person encounters heightened levels of emotional sensitivity and reactiveness.
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Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - It is a common neurodevelopmental disorder among children affecting one’s behavior. As the name implies, it is a condition of attention deficiency or inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.
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Bipolar Disorder II - It is a psychological disorder yet a less severe form among bipolar disorders. The condition is characterized by periods of depression and hypomania (heightened mood).
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Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Post-traumatic stress disorder is a condition that develops as a result of witnessing or encountering a traumatic event like abuse, neglect, war, violence, accident, severe disease, and other dangerous attacks. Post-traumatic symptoms include sleep deprivation, anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Obsessions lead to compulsion OCD. The person experiences excessive unhelpful thoughts and desires (obsessions) intended to repeat behaviors (compulsion).
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Frontal Lobe Disorders - Frontal lobe disorder, also referred to as frontal lobe syndrome, is damage to the frontal lobe, which is a vital functioning part responsible for planning, motivation, speech production, and behaviors. It can be caused by injury, trauma, infection, stroke, cancer, or neurodegenerative illness.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder - Autism spectrum disorder is a range of developmental disabilities that cause persistent impairment in social, communication, and behavioral aspects.
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Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder - It is a mental health disorder of children and adolescents presenting extreme anger, irritability, and temper outbursts. It is more than a ‘moody’ child.
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Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) - A chronic condition in which the person has drinking problems and preoccupation with alcohol. It refers to alcohol dependence, alcoholism, alcohol addiction, and alcohol abuse.
What Are the Treatment Methods for Emotional Dysregulation?
Treatment is aimed at regulating dysregulated emotions. The therapeutic approaches guide the person with coping strategies to control emotional states and well-being.
Psychotherapy:
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Counseling - Psychological counseling includes talk sessions that highlight the principles of cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, cognizance, observance, and emotion regulation. It helps in preventing and alleviating the distress associated with emotional dysregulation. As a result, overall well-being is improved.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Cognitive behavioral therapy is a common psychological intervention that relies on the principle that distorted thoughts would modify one's conduct. So, the therapy operates on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns. So, one could learn how and where to apply the emotions, thus providing guidelines on coping with stressful situations.
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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy - It is a form of CBT that utilizes mindfulness, acceptance, and emotional regulation to address a change. It works on overwhelming feelings yet treats interpersonal conflicts and personality disorders.
Medications:
Medications are preferred for underlying states and distress present with emotional dysregulation disorder.
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Antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Citalopram, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Dapoxetine, and Sertraline.
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Methylphenidate, Amphetamine, or ADHD drugs.
Other Interventions:
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Mindfulness-based approaches.
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Leisures and relaxation.
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A well-balanced nutritious diet plan.
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Exercises include balloon breathing and bunny breathing exercises.
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Meditation.
Is It Possible to Prevent Emotional Dysregulation?
The onset of emotional dysregulation is unexpected. Certain illnesses that induce brain damage or disturb brain activity may be able to lower the likelihood of developing emotional dysregulation.
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Use safety gear that is specific to the activities in which individuals are involved (such as seat belts or helmets).
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Control medical disorders such as epilepsy (seizures), hypertension (high blood pressure), and diabetes.
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Determine what the ideal weight is and stick to it.
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Take care of infections, particularly those of the ears and eyes, as they have the potential to move to the brain.
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Adhere to the doctor's prescription and refrain from using drugs for purposes other than medicine.
What Will Happen if the Condition Is Not Treated?
Most people with minor emotional dysregulation may adjust or grow to cope with it, and receiving treatment can be beneficial. Individuals with moderate to severe emotional regulation may have an enormous detrimental effect on their lives. It may affect their education, profession, and relationships. Individuals with severe conditions will behave aggressively and violently. Self-injury or suicidal thoughts and actions are possible in certain individuals.
When to Consult a Physician?
If individuals experience any signs or symptoms that may affect their mental health, then it is time to consult a mental health professional and seek proper treatment to prevent the condition from worsening.
What Is the Role of Parents or Caregivers in Addressing the Condition?
Kids who experience emotional dysregulation should have their parents or caregivers by their side to assist them in managing their emotions without any difficulty. To be a trustworthy and encouraging parent, people need to be aware of their boundaries. A therapy session may be advantageous to both the adult and the child if the adult struggles with this condition. Parents who can control their stress and feelings are better able to support their children. To develop helpful techniques, parents should talk with their teachers about their children's emotional difficulties. Schools may offer advanced educational programs to assist students with diagnosed disabilities.
Conclusion:
Doctors advise a sole or combination of therapies to treat emotional dysregulation. It is important to call a medical healthcare professional and seek guidance when bearing the brunt of mental health states, and emotional dysregulation is relatively easy to treat through talk therapies. Interventions to address the underlying stressors and primary traumatic events are looked at to improve the emotional state.
