Avoiding vulnerability is a common emotional contagion response that ultimately worsens it. Understanding the paradoxical relationship between vulnerability and emotional contagion opens new pathways for recovery.
How Avoiding Vulnerability Maintains Emotional Contagion
- Concealing emotional contagion from others prevents the connection that would help
- The energy required to maintain a facade when emotional contagion is high is enormous
- Shame about emotional contagion thrives in secrecy — vulnerability interrupts this
- Authentic expression of emotional contagion often elicits the support that reduces it
Brené Brown's Research Relevance to Emotional Contagion
Brown's research shows that people with high levels of shame (common in emotional contagion) avoid vulnerability — which paradoxically increases shame and emotional contagion. Courage to be vulnerable interrupts this cycle.
Practicing Vulnerability with Emotional Contagion
Start small: share one authentic feeling with one trusted person. The feared negative response usually doesn't materialize — and when it doesn't, confidence in vulnerability builds.