Emotional dysregulation

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Emotional dysregulation is a term used in the mental health community to refer to an emotional response that is poorly modulated, and does not fall within the conventionally accepted range of emotive response. The response set is not necessarily negative, and is sometimes seen within the positive range of emotions. Common examples of emotional dysregulation might include rage over a broken plate, or hysterics over a missed appointment.

Additional recommended knowledge

Emotional dysregulation is a broad phenomenon that is a component of many mental health disorders.^[1] It is typically associated with an experience of early psychological trauma, or chronic maltreatment (such as child abuse, child neglect, or institutional neglect/abuse). It is most commonly associated with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.^[2]^[3]

References

^ Beauchaine, T., Gatzke-Kopp, L., Mead, H., (2007). Polyvagal Theory and developmental psychopathology: Emotion dysregulation and conduct problems from preschool to adolescence. Biological Psychology, 74, 174-184.
^ Pynoos, R., Steinberg, A., & Piacentini, J. (1999). A developmental psychopathology model of childhood traumatic stress and intersection with anxiety disorders. Biological Psychiatry, 46, 1542-1554.
^ Schore, A., (2003). Affect dysregulation and disorders of the self. New York: Norton.