Patanjali's five kleshas (afflictions) framework identifying root causes of emotional dysregulation, providing deeper diagnostic understanding for targeted DBT intervention.
The five kleshas—ignorance (avidya), ego-identification (asmita), attachment (raga), aversion (dvesha), and fear of death (abhinivesha)—are Patanjali's diagnostic map of human suffering. For emotional dysregulation, the kleshas explain mechanism: dysregulation typically involves avidya (misunderstanding emotional triggers), asmita (identity fused with emotional states), raga and dvesha (craving and avoiding emotions), and abhinivesha (existential fear). DBT addresses these through different modules, but Patanjali's framework unifies them conceptually. Clients with dysregulation often suffer from kleshic confusion: mistaking temporary emotional states for identity, avoiding difficult emotions due to catastrophic predictions (abhinivesha), or desperately grasping pleasant states. Understanding the five kleshas helps clients and therapists locate intervention points. Rather than viewing dysregulation as purely symptomatic, this framework treats it as a natural consequence of psychological misunderstanding. DBT skills systematically address each klesha: mindfulness clarifies avidya, distress tolerance reduces raga-dvesha, emotion regulation decreases asmita identification, creating sophisticated emotional mastery grounded in traditional psychology.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
Explore related journeys or tell Peri what you're working through.