Emotional dysregulation
What is emotional dysregulation?
Emotional dysregulation refers to difficulties in effectively managing and regulating emotions. Individuals experiencing emotional dysregulation may have intense or prolonged emotional reactions that are disproportionate to the situation or inconsistent with their emotional goals. They may struggle to regulate their emotions, resulting in emotional instability and difficulty returning to a baseline emotional state.
Emotional dysregulation can manifest in various ways, including:
Intense or frequent mood swings: Individuals may experience rapid and extreme shifts in their emotional state, such as going from intense anger to sadness or from happiness to irritability.
Difficulty controlling anger or impulsivity: Individuals may have trouble managing anger and may react impulsively, resulting in outbursts or aggression.
Heightened sensitivity to emotional triggers: Minor events or perceived slights may trigger intense emotional responses, leading to feelings of distress, anxiety, or anger.
Trouble recovering from emotional arousal: Individuals may find it challenging to calm down after becoming emotionally activated, leading to prolonged emotional distress.
Impaired emotional tolerance: Individuals may have a low threshold for emotional distress and struggle to tolerate uncomfortable emotions, leading to avoidance or maladaptive coping strategies.
It is important to consider there may be a variety of factors influencing a child or young person’s emotional dysregulation, including their developmental stage, neurobiological factors, and environmental influences.
What we can do to help with emotional dysregulation:
Psychoeducation:
Providing children, young people, and their families with psychoeducation about emotions and emotional regulation is essential. Helping them understand that emotions are a normal part of life and providing age-appropriate information about emotions can promote awareness and reduce stigma.
Emotion Identification and Labelling:
Teaching children and young people to identify and label their emotions accurately is a fundamental step. This includes helping them recognize a wide range of emotions and understanding the physical sensations and behaviours associated with each emotion.
Emotional Regulation Strategies:
Teaching children and young people various strategies for regulating their emotions can be beneficial. These strategies may include deep breathing exercises, mindfulness activities, progressive muscle relaxation, grounding techniques, and engaging in activities that promote self-soothing or emotional expression, such as journaling, drawing, or engaging in hobbies.
Develop Coping Skills:
Helping children and young people develop healthy coping skills can enhance their ability to manage and regulate their emotions effectively. This can involve teaching problem-solving skills, assertiveness training, conflict resolution strategies, and encouraging the development of positive coping mechanisms such as engaging in physical activity, talking to a trusted person, or engaging in creative outlets.
Supportive Environment:
Creating a supportive and validating environment for children and young people is crucial. Providing them with emotional support, active listening, and validating their feelings can help them feel understood and develop a sense of emotional safety.
Collaborative Approach:
Collaboration between parents, caregivers, teachers, and mental health professionals is vital in addressing emotional dysregulation in children and young people. This collaborative approach ensures consistency across different environments and promotes the implementation of effective strategies.
Professional Intervention:
Involving mental health professionals, such as clinicians at The Younger Years experienced in working with children, adolescents and young adults, may be necessary. Our clinicians can provide specialized assessment and interventions, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, or dialectical behaviour therapy, tailored to the child or young person's specific needs.
It is essential to consider the unique developmental aspects, individual circumstances, and any underlying mental health conditions when addressing emotional dysregulation in children and young people. Early intervention, supportive relationships, and appropriate professional guidance can significantly contribute to their emotional well-being and overall development.
What are some disorders that can involve emotion dysregulation in children and young people?
It's important to work with a qualified mental health professional who can conduct a thorough assessment and provide individualised treatment recommendations based on the specific needs and circumstances of the individual experiencing emotional dysregulation. It's also important to note that emotional dysregulation can also be present in other mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, or trauma-related disorders.
One common disorder characterized by emotion dysregulation in children and young people is called Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). ODD is a childhood behavioural disorder that involves a persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, argumentative or defiant behaviour, and vindictiveness. While not exclusively an emotion dysregulation disorder, emotional dysregulation is a core feature of ODD.
Children and young people with ODD often have difficulty managing their emotions, leading to frequent and intense temper outbursts or episodes of irritability. They may have trouble calming down once they become upset and may struggle with emotional regulation in response to frustration or perceived provocations.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Many individuals with ADHD experience difficulties regulating their emotions, leading to emotional lability, impulsivity, and mood swings.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD):
DMDD is a disorder characterized by severe and recurrent temper outbursts that are inconsistent with the child's developmental level. Children with DMDD also exhibit a persistently irritable or angry mood most of the day, nearly every day. Emotional dysregulation is a central feature of this disorder.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD):
While typically diagnosed in late adolescence or early adulthood, BPD can manifest in emotional dysregulation during adolescence. Individuals with BPD may experience intense and rapidly shifting emotions, difficulty managing anger, and may engage in self-destructive behaviours.
Some treatment approaches for emotional dysregulation may include:
Psychotherapy:
Therapies like Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) can help individuals develop skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and adaptive coping strategies.
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques:
Learning mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help individuals increase awareness of their emotions, regulate their physiological responses, and promote a sense of calm.
Medication:
In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help manage underlying mental health conditions that contribute to emotional dysregulation, such as mood stabilizers or antidepressants.
Social support and self-care:
Engaging in supportive relationships, seeking help from friends or loved ones, and practicing self-care activities can provide emotional support and help individuals manage their emotions more effectively.
Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning are essential when addressing emotion dysregulation in children and young people. Clinicians at The Younger Years and other professionals, such as psychiatrists, can conduct comprehensive assessments to identify the specific disorder and provide targeted interventions and support to help children and young people develop healthier emotional regulation skills.
Please reach out to us and book an appointment with our experienced psychologists for further help.