Mini Trauma Recovery Talk -Mental Health, Trauma and Emotional Dysregulation with Wellness Coach Liz Blanding

Wellness Coach Liz Blanding

Understanding and Managing Emotional Dysregulation

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the topic of emotional dysregulation, a prevalent symptom of mental health challenges such as complex PTSD, which manifests as a difficulty in controlling one's emotions.

Introduction:

• Liz introduces the podcast and its mission to educate and empower individuals about trauma and its multifaceted impacts.
• Discussion on emotional dysregulation as an often invisible injury that affects emotional control, leading to reactions that may seem disproportionate to the actual events.

Understanding Emotional Dysregulation [1:01]:

• Explanation of emotional dysregulation with real-life examples, like extreme reactions to minor inconveniences.
• Exploration of the neurological underpinnings of emotional dysregulation, highlighting the parts of the brain involved.

Signs and Impacts of Emotional Dysregulation [1:38]:

• Liz discusses key signs including uncomfortable emotions, mood swings, overwhelming feelings, depression, self-harm, and anxiety.
• The impact of these symptoms on daily life, causing disproportionate reactions to minor triggers.

Strategies for Re-regulating Emotions [4:31]:

• A comprehensive guide to managing emotional spikes:
  1. Recognizing triggers and pausing.
  2. Verbalizing emotions to acknowledge and address them.
  3. Ensuring personal safety and seeking supportive environments.
  4. Grounding techniques: stomping feet, deep breathing, and physical touch.
  5. Nutritional tips: consuming protein.
  6. Sensory techniques: washing hands in warm water.
  7. Nervous system reset methods: cool showers.
  8. Self-comfort: giving oneself a comforting hug.

The Inner Child, Adolescent, and Adult [7:10]:

• Discussion on how different aspects of the self (inner child, adolescent, and adult) influence emotional regulation.
• The importance of the inner adult’s role in managing the impulses of the inner adolescent and reassuring the inner child.

Recap and Call to Action [8:20]:

• Summary of key points and strategies discussed in the episode.
• Liz encourages listeners to build a "healthy toolkit" for emotional re-regulation and invites them to support the podcast.
• Invitation to visit the Oasis Wellness website for additional resources on trauma recovery and awareness.

Closing Remarks:

• Liz emphasizes the importance of community and awareness in overcoming the challenges of emotional dysregulation.
• Warm encouragement to join the movement towards becoming more conscious and aware to live better, well-rounded lives.

Support the "Get Trauma Informed" Podcast:

• Listeners are encouraged to support the podcast by clicking the support tab in this episode an