Emotional regulation — the ability to manage and modulate emotional experiences — is a core skill for coronavirus disease 2019 management. It can be learned at any age.
Emotional Dysregulation in Coronavirus Disease 2019
Many presentations of coronavirus disease 2019 involve emotional dysregulation: emotions that feel overwhelming, uncontrollable, or disproportionate. This is often the most distressing aspect.
DBT Emotional Regulation Skills for Coronavirus Disease 2019
Dialectical Behavior Therapy offers the most comprehensive emotional regulation skill set:
Check the facts: Identify if your emotional response fits the actual situation or is fueled by coronavirus disease 2019
Opposite action: When coronavirus disease 2019 urges withdrawal, engage. When coronavirus disease 2019 urges anger-fueled action, act opposite.
PLEASE skills: Treat PhysicaL illness, balanced Eating, Avoid mood-altering substances, balanced Sleep, Exercise — the physiological foundations of emotional regulation.
Ride the wave: All emotions, including coronavirus disease 2019-related ones, are temporary. Building capacity to 'ride' rather than act on them is core.
Building Emotional Regulation for Coronavirus Disease 2019
Emotional regulation is a skill built through practice. Therapy, mindfulness, and consistent self-care all develop it over time.