Emotion dysregulation refers to difficulties in managing and regulating one’s emotions. It is characterised by intense and unpredictable emotional responses that may be disproportionate to the situation or context, and difficulty in recovering from these emotional experiences.
People with emotion dysregulation may experience intense and overwhelming emotions such as anxiety, anger, sadness, or shame, and may struggle to manage these emotions in healthy ways. This can lead to behaviors that are impulsive, self-destructive, or harmful to others.
Emotion dysregulation is often associated with mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it can also occur in people without a diagnosed mental health condition.
Treatment for emotion dysregulation often involves learning skills for emotion regulation, such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, and cognitive restructuring. Therapy may also focus on addressing underlying issues that contribute to emotion dysregulation, such as trauma, attachment issues, or negative self-beliefs.