4 Ways that Emotional Dysregulation Affects Us

Everyone experiences emotional dysregulation from time to time. It is scary and exhausting to experience intense emotions that change rapidly. However, when we have an idea of what is going on inside of us, we can begin taking action to find balance again.

4 Ways Emotional Dysregulation May Affect You

Emotional dysregulation affects us on four different, interconnected levels, and they are:

Neural

Our nervous system is the physical core of our bodies. Many of the emotions we experience are physical sensations that stem from the nervous system by way of hormones and chemicals. For example, excitement and pleasure come from endorphins and dopamine, anxiety and stress come from cortisol, and sleepiness and calm come from melatonin.

When we are emotionally dysregulated, there is usually a surge in the production of cortisol in our nervous system. This puts us on edge, heightens our reactions to all stimuli, and often results in a disrupted sleep pattern. All of this combines to make for a fragile and frantic emotional state.

Emotional

Brain scans show that there is a dramatic increase of activity in the part of our brain known as the amygdala when we are emotionally dysregulated. If we have been dysregulated since childhood, our prefrontal cortex might be underdeveloped, and this could result in us making poor decisions and exhibiting erratic behavior.

Mental

Just as our bodies are affected by the food we eat, our emotions are affected by our brain activity, thought patterns, and decisions. When we become emotionally dysregulated, the learning center of our brain is affected. We might struggle with memory loss. Stress on the hippocampus section of our brain also results in a higher likelihood of experiencing anxiety or depression.

Physical

Emotional dysregulation has long-term effects on our physical health. In prolonged periods of emotional dysregulation, we might experience headaches, migraines, elevated blood pressure, digestive problems, and cardiovascular issues. Each of these issues is a serious problem on its own, but combined they can make for a toxic cocktail of ill health and mortality concerns.

What now?

Emotional dysregulation is serious and affects us on several levels from the inside out. Because we are complex beings, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to our problems. Our hormones, brain development, and past experiences play a significant role in our state of mind. However, knowing this is merely the first step to finding healing or emotional regulation.

There is an old saying that states, “You are what you eat,” meaning that our body is shaped and affected by the nutrients, or sometimes, the toxins, that we put into it. The same is true for our emotional state. There might be outside influences and factors that determine why we feel the way we do, but we are ultimately responsible for our physical and mental health.

Professional help for emotional dysregulation

Just as doctors are ready to help us with our physical health issues, counselors at Irvine Christian Counseling in California are available to help us with our emotional and spiritual problems. If you would like to meet with a counselor in Irvine, even for a simple consultation, we can help. Contact us today at Irvine Christian Counseling and we will match you with a suitable counselor for your needs. You can begin the journey to emotional regulation when you are ready.