Emotion Dysregulation— What is that anyway?

Emotion dysregulation is a term that describes a pattern of emotional responding that is more often than not associated with problematic behavior. Specifically, it captures behavioral patterns that may ultimately impact your quality of life, social interactions and relationships at work, home, or school. Someone experiencing emotion dysregulation can exhibit a variety of problematic behaviors, including:

• Angry outbursts

• Substance use/dependence

• Suicidal thoughts or attempts

• Self-harm

• High-risk sexual behaviors

• Extreme perfectionism

• Disordered eating

• Chronic depression

• Anxiety

Individuals who struggle with emotion dsyregulation often report that they experience their emotions very intensely. In fact, it is likely that if you struggle with emotion dysregulation that you have received the message that you are “out of control” or perhaps that "you are too much.” These messages can be devastating, especially when your emotional reaction is genuine and makes sense to you.

More problematic is when individuals internalize the messages that the environment gives.

That is, you begin to think that perhaps there is indeed “something wrong with me.” This thinking increases the likelihood of us suppressing our own emotional experiences, which then lead to behaviors of emotion dysregulation, such as numbing or one or more of the problematic behaviors outlined above.

If this resonates with you, the good news is that there is a way to reign in your emotional experience . You don't have to live a life hijacked by your own emotions! You deserve to feel in control of your emotions, whether it be intense joy or intense shame.

Contact Dr. Cecily Portillo for a free phone consultation to discuss how individual therapy may be helpful in managing emotion dysregulation for you or a loved one.