Causes and treatment for emotional dysregulation

Do you or a loved one experience difficulty expressing your emotions in a healthy manner?  Do you tend to have mood swings, angry outbursts, chronic depression or anxiety?  Have you felt shame and guilt that seem out of proportion? Are chronic suicidal and/or self-harming thoughts, self-destructive behaviors or interpersonal conflicts with friends, family or others taking over your life?  All of these are symptoms of emotional dysregulation, which in layman’s terms means an individual is having emotional responses which are outside of the typical range of reactions.  

Causes of emotional dysregulation vary.  Sometimes it can be a result of unresolved attachment issues with primary caregivers, a result of a traumatic event(s), or living in an environment that is chronically invalidating.  Individuals who have been diagnosed with mood disorders or borderline personality disorder can oftentimes have difficulty coping with stressful situations and become overwhelmed, causing them to react in unhealthy ways. Invalidation includes discounting a person’s feelings or experiences, belittling them and their feelings, and causing an individual to doubt themselves and their perceptions.  This in turn creates long-term harm to the brain and nervous system. 

This all may sound hopeless; however, there is a way out and onward toward healing.  A professional mental health provider can help you with learning and building new skills that can assist in improved emotional regulation, acceptance, and distress tolerance.  With time, self-destructive, harmful thoughts and behaviors decrease and new, healthy skills and coping patterns begin to emerge.  

Asking for help can be difficult, but rewarding.  I am accepting new clients and am available weekdays, some evenings, and Saturdays. Your first appointment will be an intake session.  During the session, you will be provided more information about my experience and approach to therapy.  You will also receive information on AdultSpan Counseling’s policies and consents.  We’ll work together on assessing your symptoms and begin working on developing a treatment plan. 

If you would like to learn more or would like to schedule an appointment with me, call me today at 402-325-0117 x4 or book an appointment online!

Carla Hammer, M.S., PLMHP

Adultspan Counseling
1001 S. 70th Street, Suite #225
Lincoln, NE 68510
402-325-0117 x 4