How Can You Manage Negative Emotions Through Emotional Regulation?
Emotional regulation refers to managing challenging emotions effectively. Being able to regulate your emotions may help you form healthy relationships, communicate, and care for yourself in times of solitude. However, many individuals may struggle to regulate emotions healthily. In these cases, therapy may be an effective tool.
What is emotional regulation?
Emotional regulation is the ability to identify and problem-solve emotional difficulties. When you emotionally regulate successfully, you may be able to identify and utilize skills that can help you reduce an emotion's intensity or feel better over time. You might also accept and ignore unhealthy urges without partaking in them.
Emotional regulation and its impact on behavior
Difficulty regulating emotions can be a cause or symptom of several psychological conditions. When someone struggles to regulate emotionally, they might lack emotional awareness skills or struggle with inappropriate expressions of their emotions. They may have learned maladaptive coping strategies to tolerate distress.
Emotion regulation skills as a solution to negative emotions
The above study demonstrated that difficulties in emotional regulation have a significant relationship with challenging emotions like sadness and fear. One solution for emotional dysregulation is the practice of mindfulness.
Mindfulness and emotional regulation
Jon Kabat-Zinn, a medical professor who popularized mindfulness in the United States during the 1970s, defines mindfulness as the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose to the present moment. It can involve non-judgment of the unfolding of experience moment by moment.
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been utilized since the late 1970s to provide individuals with the skills for emotional well-being. Kabat-Zinn's mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) are short-term group-based therapies that incorporate mindfulness with other stress relief and cognitive reprocessing approaches.
Many studies have proven the effectiveness of MBIs in improving life satisfaction and increasing positive emotion to reduce psychological symptoms of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Recent studies have found MBCT to be as effective as some medications in preventing depressive relapse.
One study found that practicing mindfulness, whether through breathwork or self-compassion, can decrease negative emotional experiences, reduce amygdala activity, and increase brain activity in regions related to focus and attention.
Mindfulness training can potentially strengthen individuals' ability to tune in to their internal reactions in emotion-eliciting situations, leading to an enhanced ability to think before reacting. A non-judgmental view of the self may allow individuals to view their emotional experiences more objectively.
Additionally, the self-compassion often involved in mindfulness can aid in disrupting maladaptive and ingrained reactions to negative feelings.
What is online mindfulness therapy for emotion regulation?
Mindfulness-based therapy programs are prevalent and often effective. They may provide the same benefits and improvements in emotion control as traditional therapy. Several studies have demonstrated its efficacy for various groups. For example, one study found that internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) reduced emotional distress in college students.
The first review and meta-analysis study on the effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) found that online MBIs positively reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. While it is established that online MBI can effectively improve emotional distress, less research has demonstrated online MBI's effects on feelings. Below is one study that addressed this topic.
Online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI): A case study
To better understand online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), emotional distress, and emotional regulation, you can look at a 2018 study examining the effects of online mindfulness-based programs on depression and anxiety while observing emotional regulation as a possible mediating role.
Researchers proposed three hypotheses in their study. First, group-based and individual mindfulness therapy participants had significant reductions in emotional regulation difficulties and psychological distress and significant improvements in mindfulness.
In addition, participants in MBI discussion groups showed significant decreases in psychological distress. Finally, changes in emotional regulation difficulties could mediate the effects of online MBIs on psychological distress.
Mindfulness-based intervention (MBI): Intervention process
The randomized study consisted of four groups, including:
- Group mindfulness-based interventions (GMBI)
- An individual, self-direct mindfulness-based intervention group (SDMBI)
- A discussion group (DG)
- A blank control group (BCG)
The program lasted eight weeks, and 76 participants completed a pre and post-test.
The therapy implemented in the study was a revision of MBCT. In the group mindfulness-based intervention (GMBI) group, the intervention consisted of eight weekly sessions, each lasting two hours. Forty minutes of each two-hour session were devoted to a mindfulness-based practice.
Therapeutic guidance included formal mindfulness practices such as body scanning, mindful sitting, mindful stretching, and breathing exercises. Cognitive therapy elements included recognizing unhelpful thoughts and learning to take a healthier approach to experiences.
Participants in the SDMBI group received therapy materials and practice guidance without group discussion sessions. The materials were the same as the GMBI group's, including mindfulness-related reading material and practice audio. These self-directed materials were distributed to participants every week, and each week, participants were asked to report the amount of time they spent practicing.
Participants in the DG engaged in a supervised online discussion forum. Their topics were associated with emotional events, including positive and negative events, stress, and interpersonal communications. Participants discussed their views of emotional events and how they coped with them.
These conversations were supervised and recorded by an instructor who did not actively participate in the conversations. Lastly, the participants in the BCG received no intervention.
Online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI): Study questionnaires
Several questionnaires were used to track participants' progress throughout the study. The questionnaires were administered before and after the study period.
Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ): This 39-question test measured the five facets of mindfulness: observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judgment of inner experiences, and non-reactivity to inner experiences. Higher scores on this test indicated higher levels of mindfulness.
Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS): This scale involved 36 questions in which participants answered how frequently each item applied to themselves. The scale was graded with six factors, including:
- A lack of emotional awareness
- A lack of emotional clarity
- An inability to act in a way that suits personal goals
- An inability to use impulse control in negative situations
- A lack of strategies for emotional regulation
- A non-acceptance of emotional responses
The total score for DERS indicated the level of emotional dysregulation.
Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS): This test is often used to assess anxiety symptoms. Participants answered on a four-point scale with one meaning "never (I never feel anxious)" and four meaning "always (I always feel anxious)." Participants with higher scores indicated higher levels of anxiety.
Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS): Like the SAS, this scale utilized a four-point scale with one meaning "never" and four meaning "always." Higher total scores indicated higher levels of depression.
Online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI): Study results
Individuals in the group mindfulness-based intervention (GMBI) and self-direct mindfulness-based intervention (SDMBI) groups had significant differences in mindfulness, emotion regulation difficulties, and psychological distress. In addition, results indicated significant effects of group membership on post-test scores of mindfulness, depression, and anxiety when controlling the pretest scores, meaning group mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) was the most effective form of online MBI.
Additionally, each group's emotion regulation difficulties related to the relationship between changes in mindfulness and psychological distress. As the five-facet mindfulness questionnaire (FFMQ) scores went up, the difficulties in emotional regulation scale (DERS) scores went down, indicating higher mindfulness correlated to lower levels of difficulties with emotional regulation.
This finding reflects the results of earlier studies that demonstrated the ability of mindfulness to help regulate emotions and lessen emotional reactivity. Consistent with the researchers' hypotheses, online MBIs reduce anxiety and depression. The results also emphasized the role of group support in online MBI; participants of online MBI within a group situation seemed to reap the most benefits.
The future of online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI)
This case study provided encouraging evidence for the effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions in reducing psychological distress and suggested that mindfulness could be a component of emotional regulation. It also revealed the benefits of group discussion in online MBI.
Study summary
This study suggests that combining mindfulness intervention and group discussions may be a beneficial way to reduce psychological distress and improve emotional regulation. However, individual MBI therapy can also offer benefits. Many studies have shown its efficacy in treating symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, individual online MBI may allow for more schedule flexibility than group sessions.
This study illuminated the importance of group support in MBI, even in an online medium. Further work in this area would benefit from larger sample sizes to determine whether the results could be generalized.
Participants in this study did not display severe psychological symptoms, which could have influenced participation rates and motivation to practice mindfulness techniques at home. These factors might have reduced the sensitivity of changes in the outcome.
Future research could benefit from comprehensive follow-up questionnaires to examine if changes in mindfulness, emotion regulation, depression, and anxiety are maintained.
Therapy options
You can partake in mindfulness-based therapy in various forms, including online. Online therapy can be an effective option for those who face barriers to in-person therapy, such as scheduling conflicts, or financial difficulties. Through an online platform, you can partake in mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with a licensed therapist through phone, video, or live chat sessions. You can also reach out to your therapist anytime and structure your schedule around your needs.
The role of mindfulness-based CBT in mental health
A recent study on online mindfulness-based CBT found it as effective as in-person therapy and in treating symptoms of depression and anxiety. If you're interested in learning more about how this form of therapy can benefit you, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional through a platform like BetterHelp, which provides a vast database of providers specializing in various mental health treatments and symptoms.
Takeaway
As evidenced by the above studies, online and in-person mindfulness-based therapy can improve skills in those seeking support. If you're interested in learning more or want to discuss your needs with a professional, reach out to a therapist for further guidance.
What type of therapy is best for emotional regulation?
The best therapy for any situation is determined through the collaboration of a therapist and their client. However, some therapies have significant strengths that make them more likely to be useful in certain situations. In the case of poor emotional regulation, cognitive-behavioral techniques may be particularly effective in teaching problem-solving and emotional regulation skills. CBT focuses heavily on skill development and coping strategies, allowing people to develop practical solutions to add to their emotion regulation toolkits for future use.
What are five emotion regulation skills?
Five common regulation strategies are listed below:
- Question your beliefs about emotions. It may be helpful to examine how you think about emotions. Do you see them as good or bad? Controllable or uncontrollable? Evidence indicates that those who believe emotions are good and controllable are more likely to make attempts to regulate them.
- Label your feelings. Examining and naming your emotions following a challenging situation may decrease the intensity of negative feelings, as well as offer more insight into how you can practice emotional control and manage emotions in socially acceptable ways.
- Journal about your feelings. Journaling can provide a safe space for self-reflection. Writing about your emotional experiences may increase happiness, reduce anxiety, and improve well-being.
- Use self-distancing. Viewing yourself from an outside perspective is often helpful for self-regulation, especially when experiencing a challenging situation. Taking a “fly on the wall” approach may substantially reduce the intensity of your emotional response.
- Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness, or being able to examine the present moment without experiencing adverse emotions, likely offers you more information about the current situation, which can help you regulate your emotions and challenge unwanted thoughts.
Other emotion regulation strategies include down-regulation and up-regulation. Down-regulating can help lower emotional arousal during stressful moments. You can down-regulate by doing deep breathing exercises or listening to calming music. On the other hand, up-regulating may be helpful during situations that require alertness and focus. You can up-regulate through short bursts of physical exercise, playing upbeat music, and engaging in brain-stimulating activities.
How do I improve emotional regulation and stop negative emotions?
One of the best ways to learn how to manage your emotions is to seek the help of a qualified mental health professional. A therapist can address various aspects of emotional dysregulation and use evidence-based affect regulation techniques, like mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), to help you develop proactive strategies and habits that make regulating emotions easier.
In addition to helping you develop appropriate problem-solving and regulation skills to manage your emotional states, a therapist may be able to help you identify the underlying causes of negative emotions. They may also utilize cognitive change or cognitive reappraisal to help reframe emotional experiences. It may also be easier to understand your emotional experiences with the help of a neutral third party.
What are some emotional regulation strategies?
One popular exercise for a healthier emotional life is journaling. Journaling about your emotional responses may help with emotional regulation and emotional control by giving you more insight into your emotions and what factors make them difficult to regulate. You may also want to learn some mindfulness techniques, which are a core feature of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, a popular psychotherapy professionals use to help individuals learn to regulate their feelings.
Mindfulness can help you regulate your emotions as they occur and will likely give you insight into why intense emotions affect you the way they do. If intense feelings appear suddenly, it may be worthwhile to learn deep breathing exercises, which are one of the most effective ways to practice emotional self-regulation and curb adverse emotions quickly. Mindfulness practices can also help improve attentional control.
What are the three R's of emotional regulation?
The three R’s of emotional regulation may refer to concepts discussed alongside emotional literacy. The first R, regulation, often refers to the ability to prevent negative emotions from escalating into uncontrollability. The second, reconstruction, typically refers to the ability to reframe a situation and find positive aspects that may reduce the impact of challenging emotions. The third, resilience, commonly refers to developing skills that allow a person to recover quickly from stress and difficulty.
What are the four R's of emotional regulation?
The four R’s of emotional regulation or emotional self-control may refer to the four R’s of emotional intelligence, a closely related concept. The four R’s are realize, recognize, refine, and reframe. Realize typically means fostering self-awareness to acknowledge your emotional state and what your emotions are communicating. Recognize often means attaching a label to an emotion and identifying when it occurs. Refining typically refers to refining your understanding of your own emotional states and broadening your emotional vocabulary. Finally, reframe often refers to “flipping” a negative emotion to a positive one by finding positive aspects of the situation that are triggering the emotion.
What is at the root of emotional dysregulation?
Many things can make it hard for a person to manage emotions effectively. Possible causes include disruptions in child development, including child maltreatment and exposure to traumatic events in early childhood. Genetic predisposition and inconsistent parenting may also be possibilities. Poor emotional regulation and emotional expression may also be associated with depressive symptoms and other psychological disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, complex PTSD, and ADHD. Emotional dysregulation and heightened emotional arousal may also be present in people living with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and affective disorders.
If you’re concerned about managing your emotions, it may be worthwhile to work with a therapist who specializes in emotional dysregulation. They can help you investigate the underlying causes of your emotions and use evidence-based techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to facilitate cognitive change. Through therapy, you can learn response modulation and other emotional regulation strategies to cope with life’s challenges and reduce the emotional impact of stressful events.
What is it called when you can't regulate your emotions?
Experiencing difficulty with emotion regulation is commonly referred to as “emotional dysregulation.” Dysregulation can vary in severity and may only appear under certain circumstances. If you’re looking for help managing your emotions, you may want to seek the help of a qualified professional who can use evidence-based techniques like behavioral therapy and response-focused emotion regulation strategies to help you address your concerns, form healthier social relationships, and improve your well-being.
What medication is used for emotional regulation?
Many different types of medication may be used to help manage emotions. Often, the medication helps treat the underlying cause of dysregulation rather than the emotions themselves. For example, depression may contribute to trouble managing emotions and modifying emotional reactions, and antidepressant medication may improve emotion management by treating the underlying condition. If the medication targets emotional lability directly, it may be referred to as a mood-stabilizing medication. Common mood stabilizers include lithium, valproate, carbamazepine and lamotrigine.
What is poor emotional regulation?
Poor emotional regulation or emotional dysregulation refers to difficulty controlling and managing emotions. People with emotional dysregulation may be hypersensitive to emotional stimuli and experience intense emotional reactions that might not match the situation. They may also display inappropriate behavior during moments of stress. In some cases, individuals with poor emotion regulation may have trouble identifying facial expressions and may assign anger or disgust to neutral expressions. However, emotional dysregulation isn’t limited to negative affect. Dysregulated displays of positive affect can also occur in response to positive stimuli.
Emotional dysregulation may be caused by many factors, including trauma, sleep deprivation, substance use, and mental health conditions. Childhood emotional development may also affect emotion regulation. For example, children who do not experience extrinsic emotional regulation from their caregivers may have difficulties managing their own emotions as they grow. From a neurological perspective, poor emotion regulation may be linked to reduced anterior cingulate cortex volume and exaggerated amygdala response.
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