CBT for emotion regulation difficulties
We are all emotional beings, and an important aspect of living a fulfilled life is learning to control our emotions in everyday situations. As we develop, we begin to understand how intense our emotional reactions can be, how long they last and how we express our emotions effectively.
For many people, coping with our emotions is part of life. We all feel joy, sadness and anger and once these emotions pass, we return to a calm emotional state.
However, an individual who has difficulty with regulating emotions can face challenges with identifying their emotions and can react intensely to certain emotional triggers.
A person who has emotion regulation issues can develop negative behaviours such as anger management difficulties, acting in an out-of-control manner, or experience extreme feelings of anxiety or sadness which if left untreated can lead to depression.
Many people in this situation live a very chaotic life which can lead to issues with loved ones or in the workplace.
Using CBT to treat emotion regulation difficulties
Emotion regulation is a skill that can be taught. Many of us learn our emotional resilience from our parents or guardians. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) will therefore focus on teaching emotional skills to an individual. This includes helping them to identify their emotions accurately and changing and calming their emotional state so they are less vulnerable to impulsive behaviours, sudden bursts of anger or episodes of anxiety.
A qualifies CBT therapist will work with their client to build on their emotional awareness and identify any unrealistic or unhelpful beliefs about how they express their emotions. From there, the therapist and client can work towards evaluating each emotional state and understand the triggers that cause a negative heightening of their emotions.
By gaining an insight into their irrational thoughts and problematic behaviours, it becomes possible to learn new, helpful techniques to regulate their emotions and control the symptoms associated with emotion regulation difficulties.
Professional help is available
Jamie Dempsey is an Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist who has proven experience in improving the lives of hundreds of patients, helping them to gain a greater understanding of the emotional challenges. Contact Jamie and take the first step towards a calmer, more fulfilling life.
