User:Ajohn319/Emotional dysregulation

Emotional Reactivity
As such, the period after a traumatic brain injury such as a frontal lobe disorder can be marked by emotional dysregulation. This is also true of neurodegenerative diseases.

Childhood
Dysregulation is more prevalent in this age group, and is generally seen to decrease as children develop. During early childhood, emotional dysregulation or reactivity is considered to be situational rather than indicative of emotional disorders. It is important to consider parental mood disorders as genetic and environmental determinants. Children of parents with symptoms of depression are less likely to learn strategies for regulating their emotions and are at risk of inheriting a mood disorder. When parents have difficulty with regulating their emotions, they often cannot teach their children to regulate properly. The role of parents in a child's development is acknowledged by Attachment Theory, which argues that the characteristics of the caregiver-child relationship impact future relationships. Current research indicates that parent-child relationships characterized by less affection and greater hostility may result in children developing emotional regulation problems. If the child's emotional needs are ignored or rejected, they may experience greater difficulty dealing with emotions in the future. Moreover, conflict between parents is linked to increased emotional reactivity or dysregulation in children. Other factors involved include the quality of relationship with peers, the child's temperament, and social or cognitive understanding. Additionally, loss or grief can contribute to emotional dysregulation.

Adolescence
In adolescents, emotional dysregulation is a risk factor for many mental health disorders including depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, substance use disorder, alcohol use disorder, eating disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Dysregulation is also associated with self-injury, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and risky sexual behavior. Emotional dysregulation is not a diagnosis, but an indicator of an emotional or behavioral problem that may need intervention.

Attachment theory and the idea of an insecure attachment is again implicated in emotional dysregulation. Greater attachment security correlates with less emotional dysregulation in daughters. Moreover, it has been observed that more female teens struggle with emotional dysregulation than males. Professional treatment, such as therapy or admittance into a psychiatric facility, is recommended.

Adulthood
Emotional dysregulation tends to present as emotional responses that may seem excessive compared to the situation. Individuals with emotional dysregulation may have difficulty calming down, avoid difficult feelings, or focus on the negative. On average, women tend to score higher on scales of emotional reactivity than men.

Established Relationships
Relationships are generally linked to better well-being, but dissatisfaction in relationships can lead to increased divorce, worsened health, and potential violence. Emotional dysregulation plays a role in relationship quality and overall satisfaction. It can be difficult for emotionally dysregulated individuals to maintain healthy relationships. People who struggle with emotional dysregulation often externalize, internalize, or dissociate when exposed to stressors. These behaviors are attempts to regulate emotions but often are ineffective in addressing stress in relationships. This commonly presents itself as intense anxiety around relationships, poor ability to set and sustain boundaries, frequent and damaging arguments, preoccupation with loneliness, worries about losing a relationship, and jealous or idealizing feelings towards others. These feelings may be accompanied by support-seeking behaviors such as clinging, smothering, or seeking to control.

The counterpart of emotional dysregulation, emotional regulation, strengthens relationships. The ability to regulate negative emotions in particular is linked to positive coping and thus higher relationship satisfaction. Emotional regulation and communication skills are linked to secure attachment, which has been related to higher partner support as well as openness in discussing negative experiences and resolving conflict. On the other hand, emotional dysregulation has a negative impact on relationships. Multiple studies note the effects of emotion dysregulation on relationship quality. One study found that relationship satisfaction is lower in couples that lack impulse control or regulatory strategies. Another study found that both husbands' and wives' emotional reactivity was negatively linked with marriage quality as well as perceptions of partner responsiveness. The literature concludes that dysregulation increases instances of perceived criticism, contributes to physical and psychological violence, and worsens depression, anxiety, and sexual difficulties. Dysregulation has also been observed to lower empathy and decrease relationship satisfaction, quality, and intimacy.

Sexual Health
Research conflicts on whether higher levels of emotional reactivity are linked to increases or decreases in sexual desire. Moreover, this effect could differ between men and women based on observed differences in emotional reactivity between genders. Some research deposits that higher emotional reactivity in women is linked to greater sexual attraction in their male partners. However, difficulties in regulating emotions have been linked to poorer sexual health, both in regards to ability and overall satisfaction.

Emotional dysregulation plays a role in nonconsensual and violent sexual encounters. Emotional regulation skills prevent verbal coercion by regulating feelings of sexual attraction in men. Consequently, a lack of emotional regulation skills can cause both internalizing and externalizing behaviors in a sexual context. This may mean violence, which can serve as a strategy for regulating emotion. In a non-violent context, insecurely attached individuals may seek to satisfy their need for connection or to resolve relational issues with sex. Communication can also be hindered, as emotional regulation has been linked to an inability to express oneself in sexual situations. This can lead to victimization as well as further sexual difficulties. Thus, the ability to both recognize emotions and express negative emotions are important for communication and social adjustment, including within sexual contexts.

Mediating Effects
While personal characteristics and experiences can contribute to externalizing and internalizing behaviors as listed above, emotional regulation has an interpersonal aspect. Couples who effectively co-regulate have higher emotional satisfaction and stability. Openly discussing emotions in the relationship can help to validate feelings of insecurity and encourage closeness. For partners who struggle with emotional dysregulation, there are available treatments. Couple's therapy has shown itself to be an effective method of improving relationship satisfaction and quality by positively impacting the process of emotional regulation in relationships.

Treatment
As the ability to appropriately express and regulate emotions is related to better relationships and mental health, parental support can help regulate the emotions of children struggling with emotional dysregulation. Training to help parents address this issue focuses on predictability and consistency. These tenants are thought to provide comfort by creating a sense of familiarity and thus safety.

Many people experience dysregulation and can struggle at times with uncontrollable emotions. Thus, potential underlying issues are important to consider in determining severity.

EMDR can help recovery from emotional dysregulation in cases where the dysregulation is a symptom of prior trauma. Outside of therapy, there are helpful strategies to help individuals recognize how they are feeling and put space between an event and their response. These include mindfulness, affirmations, and gratitude journaling. Hypnosis may also help to improve emotional regulation. . Movement such as yoga and aerobic exercise can also be therapeutic by aiding with regulation and the ability to understand how one's mind influences behavior.