Emotional Dysregulation Therapy

What Is Emotional Dysregulation?

Emotional dysregulation is a symptom of trauma that affects how a person manages their emotions. People with emotional dysregulation experience their emotions intensely, which may lead to relationship problems and impulsivity.

Common symptoms of emotional dysregulation include:

• Self-harm
• Substance use
• Feeling overwhelmed by emotions
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Overreacting to minor events
• Inability to see solutions
• Somatic symptom disorder
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Emotional dysregulation is treatable. Once you learn to regulate your emotions you will be able to more effectively deal with challenges, come up with solutions, and move forward from the effects of your traumatic experiences.

What Are the Main Treatment Options for Emotional Dysregulation?

The main treatment for emotional dysregulation includes:

• Somatic regulation helps you learn how to relax the muscles of your body, which alleviates intense emotions
• Cognitive behavioral therapy can also help you identify the thoughts that lead to negative feelings and unwanted behaviors. Your therapist can help you identify techniques to change your thoughts, which will in turn change your feelings and actions.
• Dialectical behavioral therapy is also a popular therapy for emotional dysregulation, which helps clients learn skills to manage their emotions and tolerate distress.
• Schema therapy holds the belief that emotional dysregulation comes from maladaptive schemas developed in childhood. Schema therapy can help you change your narratives to help regulate your emotions or even treat disorders like narcissistic personality disorder.

Emotional dysregulation is difficult to live with. Your highs are high and your lows are even lower. This makes regular life challenges more difficult. With emotional regulation therapy, you can deal with difficult challenges with a clear mind and be more productive than you ever were.

How Effective Are Medications for Treating Emotional Dysregulation?

Medications can help treat the symptoms of emotional dysregulation therapy, however, it does not treat the emotional dysregulation itself.

Some medications that may be prescribed for emotional dysregulation include:

• Antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Mood stabilizers such as lithium, lamotrigine (Lamictal), valproic acid (Depakote)
• Antipsychotics such as lithium, lamotrigine (Lamictal), valproic acid (Depakote)

Talk to your psychiatrist about medications for emotional dysregulation to complement coping skills and trauma processing in therapy.

Can Mindfulness and Meditation Help With Emotional Dysregulation?

Mindfulness and meditation are amazing ways to help with emotional dysregulation because they help ground you in the present moment and handle big emotions. These skills can help you develop the ability to identify your emotions and handle them non-judgmentally.

Are There Any Lifestyle Changes That Can Help With Emotional Dysregulation?

Lifestyle changes that can help with emotional dysregulation include:

• Taking time throughout the day to relax
• Creating a morning and evening routine
• Integrating self-care into your everyday routine
• Getting enough sleep
• Eating nutritious meals
• Getting some physical activity daily
• Avoiding drugs and alcohol

Many lifestyle changes can help with emotional dysregulation. Talk to a trauma therapist to find the right changes that work best for you.

How Long Does Treatment for Emotional Dysregulation Usually Take?

During your first session, you will get actionable steps you can take to alleviate your emotional dysregulation. However, therapy is not about the length of treatment. It is about making sustainable life-long changes.

Some things that can affect how long emotional regulation therapy takes include:

• The severity of your trauma
• Your willingness to participate in treatment
• Consistency in practicing regulation techniques
• Your response to treatment

Usually, people tend to stay in therapy long-term due to the benefits and insights they receive. To get the best results from therapy make sure you are open and honest with your therapist.

What Should I Look For in a Therapist Who Specializes in Treating Emotional Dysregulation?

When looking for a therapist to help with emotional dysregulation, look for the following:

• Credential: Check your therapist’s education, as well as continuing education.
• Approach: Think about what qualities you want in a therapist. Consider what type of therapy you are interested in.
• Location: Therapy needs to fit into your busy schedule. It may be helpful to find someone in your area or someone who offers virtual sessions.
• Personality: Your therapist needs to be someone who you feel comfortable with and can trust.

It is also important to be honest with yourself about what you are looking for in a therapist. Are you looking for someone who is more directive or more non-directive? Are you looking for someone who has a specific theoretical approach to therapy? Are you looking for someone who has experience working with trauma? Maybe authenticity is most important to you. Look for someone who fits your requirements.

Is It Possible to Fully Recover From Emotional Dysregulation?

Yes, it is possible to fully recover from emotional dysregulation. Emotional dysregulation is not a diagnosis, it is a symptom of traumatic or stressful experiences. In therapy, you will learn the skills, tools, and techniques you need that you can use in stressful and overwhelming situations throughout your lifetime.

What Can I Do to Prevent Emotional Dysregulation From Recurring After Treatment?

Remember to be kind to yourself. Utilize the skills you learned in therapy. Build a support system outside of professionals. Most importantly, maintain the lifestyle changes you made while in therapy.

Addressing emotional dysregulation and finding effective treatment for disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is essential for reclaiming control over your emotional well-being. Our team of experienced professionals specializing in therapies such as CBT, DBT, and schema therapy is here to guide you on this transformative journey of emotional dysregulation therapy in WPB. Take the first step towards emotional balance and lasting relief by reaching out to us today. Your path to emotional well-being awaits your action.