The emotional world of each person covers the space of an entire life. Such is the interest in the concept of emotion that many mental scientists are dedicated to studying it in depth to better understand human beings.
For a few years now, one of the debates about emotions has been aimed at resolving a basic categorization: Are all emotions definable? Are there good and bad emotions? Do we have to worry about some emotions, like anger, in favor of others, like joy?
In this article we will expose an explanation about this “negative” area of emotions and we will explain its reason for being, although in general terms we advance that we need all emotions, whether we like them or not, since they help us understand the world and confront it.
Are they really negative or unpleasant emotions?
We find it interesting to make this first clarification regarding the title of the article. It must be taken into account that language always influences, as if the words were colors that delimit the landscape. In this case, talking about negative emotions would lead to thinking that we always have to be in a positive state, adding, when the brain does not work that way.
The brain is an organ that is constantly active (always in positive), whether we are in a state of panic or in one of curiosity. Therefore, when we say that an emotion is unpleasant, we mean that:
Many people who ask us for help are afraid of these emotions, especially fear of losing control when they feel it. Therefore, it is important to point out that the emotion does not have to coincide with the act That is, feeling anger does not imply aggression. Social and family norms and reasoning help modulate unpleasant emotions for management.
The real problem? Misaligned emotions
Being in tune with unpleasant emotions is being in connection with ourselves. When these emotions (the pleasant ones too) become unbalanced, trigger, lead us to impulsive acts, isolation, repetition of mistakes… it is time to contact a psychology professional.
Specifically, Each maladjusted emotion functions as a base and mobilizer in each mental disorder. With this we do not mean that solving the emotional imbalance solves the disorder, since it is more complex than that, although we do admit that when the disease is cured, the emotion will be adjusted.
Misaligned emotions and related disorders
These are the ways in which the imbalance of emotions can negatively affect us.
1. Fear
The paralyzing and agitating fear It is the basis for anxiety and panic disorders. Its function is to protect us from a threat and prepare us for flight or blockade.
Being maladjusted, people who suffer They cannot determine where the threat is or what it consists of leaving the brain confused when making a decision and remaining in this state of anxiety for longer.
2. Sadness
Prolonged and pronounced sadness is the basis of a depressive disorder. Sadness tells us about nostalgia, loss and the need for contact.
When the state is prolonged and there are no changes, hopelessness and the feeling of incomprehension invade the person who suffers from it going from sadness to an attitude of renunciation, subjecting it to a lethargic and increasingly dull state.
3. Anger and Disgust
Excessive anger and disgust are the basis of impulse control problems. These emotions work as energizers to solve obstacles and/or threats that we can face.
As we have seen before, when we can reflect and act appropriately, anger can be transformed into assertiveness. It is this problem in reasoning, this disconnection with the prefrontal cortex, that can lead to impulse and excessive acts of aggression.
4. Guilt
Intense and chronic guilt It is part of emotional dependence. Guilt mediates our social environment, informing us about the limits that exist in our relationship with others and the need to repair damages we have committed.
Generally, family and social norms modulate this emotion. When guilt is excessive, it blocks learning the sense of identity is lost and the focus remains on pleasing the other person so as not to make any mistakes again.
Emotions are a team
To finish, we want to point towards the idea that Emotions are not separate entities, but rather function as a team that leadership is distributed according to the situation, and this also applies when they are out of adjustment.
For example, anger can go towards oneself and, if maintained over time, an attitude of renunciation is generated that can lead to depression. This depression can turn into an anxiety disorder, and later in an anxiety crisis it is possible to go from fear to anger.