More Regulations! No, not that kind.

Today’s focus revolved significantly around emotions and the skill of emotion regulation, particularly pertinent for me as an individual navigating BPD. The intricacies of emotion regulation, specifically encapsulated through the ABC PLEASE model, were thoroughly explored during the final group session of the day, where comprehensive notes were taken for future reference.

In our initial session, the therapist posed a thought-provoking query regarding the influence of society and culture on our emotional landscape. She further delved into the impact of family dynamics on emotional fluency, defined as the capacity to comprehend and be attuned to one’s emotions. Personally, I shared that my family, characterized by expressive communication through bickering, teasing, jesting, and a generally argumentative nature, has significantly shaped my emotional experiences. This starkly contrasts with accounts from fellow group members, many of whom reported their families expressing only a limited range of emotions.

A noteworthy revelation pertained to the simultaneous experience of two seemingly contradictory emotions. This extends beyond the conventional pairing of emotions like “grief” and “sadness,” illustrating the coexistence of disparate emotions such as “blissful” and “angry.” This juxtaposition, observable on the Emotion Wheel, was discussed in the context of naming emotions, fostering a connection with the language centers of the brain and thereby enhancing emotional intelligence. An intriguing aspect highlighted was the potential impact of damage to the emotional centers of the brain, suggesting a nuanced impairment wherein individuals might retain emotions but lose the ability to discern their significance in non-emotional domains.

The universality of emotions was a salient theme in our discussions, emphasizing the presence of eight primary emotions in animals, including humans. This universality extends to art, with visual and auditory mediums evoking emotions across linguistic, cultural, and national boundaries. An insightful observation underscored how intense emotions can overshadow subtler ones, illustrating the need for discernment. For instance, in a situation where one feels disappointment due to being stood up, the overshadowing emotions of anger and jealousy might obscure the underlying disappointment if not consciously acknowledged.

Furthermore, the extensive emotional lexicon, comprising over 3,000 words in the English language, was highlighted. This served as a reminder not to confine emotional experiences to a limited spectrum, urging recognition of the complexity inherent in human emotions and feelings. The acknowledgment of this intricacy is crucial in fostering a more profound understanding of oneself and others.