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Affect refers to the outward expression of a person’s internal emotions. It includes a range of emotional experiences, often described as either positive or negative, and encompasses both moods and emotions.1 For most people, there is congruence between affect and circumstance; for example, if you are given the news that a friend has passed away, … Read more

Displacement is a psychological defense mechanism in which a person redirects a negative emotion from its original source to a less threatening recipient. A classic example of the defense is displaced aggression.1 If a person is angry but cannot direct their anger toward the source without consequences, they might “take out” their anger on a person or thing … Read more

Dysregulation, or emotional dysregulation, is an inability to control or regulate one’s emotional responses, which can lead to significant mood swings, significant changes in mood, or emotional lability. It can involve many emotions, including sadness, anger, irritability, and frustration. While dysregulation is typically thought of as a childhood problem that usually resolves itself as a child … Read more

An empath is a person highly attuned to the feelings and emotions of those around them. Empaths feel what another person is feeling at a deep emotional level. Their ability to discern what others are feeling goes beyond empathy, which is defined simply as the ability to understand the feelings of others. Instead, being an empath extends to … Read more

Emotional detachment refers to being disconnected or disengaged from the feelings of other people. This can involve an inability or an unwillingness to get involved in the emotional lives of other people. While this detachment may protect people from stress, hurt, and anxiety, it can also interfere with a person’s psychological, social, and emotional well-being. … Read more

Life is often full of hard, challenging, and painful times—and sometimes, these situations are unavoidable and out of our control. It’s normal to feel anxious when dealing with difficult or stressful situations. Instead of becoming overwhelmed by stress or regret, learning to practice radical acceptance reduces the risk that this pain turns into lasting suffering.1 What … Read more

A guilt trip means causing another person to feel guilt or a sense of responsibility to change their behavior or take a specific action. Because guilt can be such a powerful motivator of human behavior, people can wield it as a tool to change how others think, feel, and behave. Sometimes this might involve leaning … Read more

Keeping our emotions close to our chest can often feel safer, but it isn’t always the healthiest way to move through life. This approach prevents us from discussing our needs (which can turn into a cyclical issue) and prevents us from truly connecting with others. Over the long term, bottling up emotions can even backfire … Read more

The death of one’s mother is one of the hardest things most people will go through in life. Whether you two had a great relationship, a strained relationship, or something in between, this event will likely have a significant impact on your life. In one survey,1 Hasin DS, Grant BF. The national epidemiologic survey on alcohol … Read more

If you’ve ever found yourself in tears when you’re angry, you might wonder, “Why do I cry when I get mad?” While some people shout and scream when they’re angry, some people cry when they’re mad. Depending on the circumstances, this experience can be confusing, embarrassing, and frustrating, so you might wonder why it happens. … Read more