Emotional regulation — the ability to manage and modulate emotional experiences — is a core skill for dementia management. It can be learned at any age.
Emotional Dysregulation in Dementia
Many presentations of dementia involve emotional dysregulation: emotions that feel overwhelming, uncontrollable, or disproportionate. This is often the most distressing aspect.
DBT Emotional Regulation Skills for Dementia
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 dementia
Opposite action: When dementia urges withdrawal, engage. When dementia 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 dementia-related ones, are temporary. Building capacity to 'ride' rather than act on them is core.
Building Emotional Regulation for Dementia
Emotional regulation is a skill built through practice. Therapy, mindfulness, and consistent self-care all develop it over time.