Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation can be characterized as an inability to control or regulate both the intensity and duration of emotional responses. A person with emotional dysregulation may react to situations in an exaggerated manner by engaging in bursts of anger , crying, passive aggressive behaviour, or creating conflict.
Emotional dysregulation has been associated with depression , PTSD , ADHD , substance use , and borderline personality disorder , as well as difficulty in interpersonal relationships.
Signs of emotional dysregulation can include:
- Severe depression
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Self-harm
- Excessive substance use
- Perfectionism
- High-risk behaviours
- Conflictual interpersonal relationships
- Disordered eating
- Suicidal thoughts
How is emotional dysregulation treated?
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is one of the most successful therapies used to treat emotional dysregulation. During DBT, individuals can learn how to effectively manage and regulate their emotions and cope with emotions that may be distressing.
If you or someone you know is struggling with emotion dysregulation,
contact us to see how we can help.
