Emotion regulation is the ability to exert control over one’s own emotional state. It may involve behaviors such as rethinking a challenging situation to reduce anger or anxiety , hiding visible signs of sadness or fear , or focusing on reasons to feel happy or calm.
What Is Emotion Regulation? (Plain Language Explanation)
Emotion Regulation refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Emotion Regulation
- Symptoms: The specific ways emotion regulation shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen emotion regulation
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When emotion regulation occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Emotion Regulation
- Emotion Regulation is far more common than most people realize
- Emotion Regulation is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with emotion regulation see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about emotion regulation is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing emotion regulation, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.