Why Am I So Emotional All the Time? – Understanding Emotional Dysregulation in Adults

12th June, 2025 | By: Ruchi Thakur

Have you ever felt that your feelings aren't in line with what is considered normal or that you couldn't control them? There can be many reasons, but one of the most underrated ones is emotional dysregulation.

What is Emotional Dysregulation?

Emotional dysregulation is a mental health symptom involving difficulty controlling emotions and their impact on actions. It is closely linked to executive dysfunction and is learned as a child and develops over time. It can lead to negative behaviors such as anger outbursts, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm.

An article in Cleveland Clinic, interestingly, notes that emotional dysregulation can be compared to volume control dysfunction. Similarly to how volume control dysfunction could lead to either too low volume or too loud volume, leaving one with no control over the voice, emotional dysregulation does the same with one's emotions.

Over time, emotional dysregulation can impact quality of life, social interactions, and relationships. This effect of emotional dysregulation may worsen further as an adult.

Symptoms of Emotional Dysregulation in Adults

We have already established that emotional dysregulation is a condition where individuals experience excessive emotional responses, often causing difficulty in calming down or avoiding difficult feelings. The way it manifests can be different for different people, especially as adults who have formed a set pattern of behavior. Some of the symptoms include :

• Affective instability, which is brought on by environmental stimuli.
• Abrupt changes in mood
• Emotional outbursts
• An acute sensitivity to psychosocial cues
• Difficulty in managing emotions effectively
• Difficulty keeping friendships, relationships, and/or other social connections
• High impulsivity
• High level of shame and anger
• Perfectionism
• In severe cases, self-harm and suicidal attempts and/or ideation

Causes of Emotional Dysregulation

Emotional dysregulation usually occurs as a symptom of another mental disorder. In fact, it forms a core feature of borderline personality disorder. It is most common in three main groups: those with mental health conditions, those with neurodivergent traits, and those with brain damage. For neurodivergent individuals, phenomena such as rejection sensitive dysphoria, involving intense pain or negative emotions when feeling rejected or failed, can be a common form of emotional dysregulation.

Mental disorders that can result in emotional dysregulation are :

• Disruptive, impulse control, and conduct disorders
• Trauma-related disorders
• Personality disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Depressive disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Substance use disorders

Other causes or conditions that can cause emotional dysregulation are :

• Intoxication
• Stroke
• Delirium
• Infections
• Seizures and epilepsy
• Degenerative brain diseases
• Head injuries
• Brain cancers and tumors

One must note that childhood neglect and trauma, as well as chronic invalidation, can result in emotional dysregulation in an adult. Genetics and other biopsychosocial factors also play a key role in an individual's life.

How to Deal With Emotional Dysregulation?

Unfortunately, this is not something that can be self-treated. Although a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet can help manage the situation, the conditions and circumstances that cause it need a healthcare provider to diagnose them and guide treatment. As established, medical reasons are a common cause of emotional dysregulation, and many conditions that cause emotional dysregulation to happen are dangerous. Some of them may even require emergency medical care.

What Does the Treatment of Emotional Dysregulation Look Like?

Treatment for emotional dysregulation usually involves 3 main components, which are:

• Medications, most commonly antidepressants, can assist in managing emotions, depending on the medication and the disease being treated.
• Supportive and symptomatic treatment address underlying illnesses or disorders that cause or exacerbate emotional dysregulation. In certain circumstances, emotional dysregulation is caused by a medical ailment, addressing them can help with healing and emotional dysregulation.
• Therapy where patients collaborate with a mental health professional to better understand and manage emotional dysregulation. It requires developing coping mechanisms and techniques to avoid serious effects.

Remember, you are not alone. Emotional dysregulation is a symptom, not a sentence. If you believe you are suffering, schedule an appointment with a mental health expert as soon as possible..