Emotional Regression after Being Triggered

Experiencing Emotional Regression After Being Triggered

In our daily lives, we often encounter situations that trigger emotional responses from our past. This phenomenon is known as emotional regression, a common experience for most people. This article aims to educate about emotional regression and provide strategies to regain composure and adult behavior during such times.

Emotional regression occurs when someone triggers a vulnerable emotional soft spot, causing a mental and emotional regression to an earlier time in one's life. During this process, our inner world regresses, while one may appear mature to others. This regression can be problematic as it leads to immature behavior.

One way to manage emotional regression is to respond in a way that doesn't match how we feel. Instead, we can strive to act in a mature and composed manner. Seeking support from a safe friend, mentor, or sponsor can also be beneficial. It's essential to do our own work to grow up in areas where we are emotionally stuck.

In the book "Growing Yourself Back Up", John Lee emphasizes the importance of expressing anger in the moment and without residue from the past. Emotionally regressive anger, he states, is time-consuming and drama-filled, and is characterized by shaming, blaming, demeaning, demoralizing, criticizing, preaching, or lecturing.

Memories that trigger emotional regression are timeless and feel present. They can be stored viscerally, meaning they can be felt in the body and intuitive mind, defying logic. Our brains store memories in complex ways and in a variety of capacities.

Preventative maintenance, such as doing soul searching and recovery work before emotional regressive experiences, can help avoid such problems. Bonnie Badenoch, a clinical psychologist and expert in trauma-informed care, emphasizes the importance of an "agendaless presence" to help professionals reduce judgmentalism, contributing significantly to the understanding and treatment of emotional regression linked to trauma.

When experiencing emotional regression, it's important to be easy on oneself and exercise self-acceptance. To identify emotional regression, one can stop and think about themselves, pretend to be present with others, and name the emotion they are feeling.

In emotional regression, one can feel old, so it's helpful to picture oneself at that age and be compassionate and understanding. Remember, emotional regression is a part of the human experience, and by understanding it, we can better manage and overcome it.

In conclusion, emotional regression is a complex phenomenon that can be managed with self-awareness, self-compassion, and seeking support. By understanding the signs and strategies for managing emotional regression, we can strive to maintain adult behavior and emotional composure in our interpersonal relationships.