LibraryScenariosWhen conflict triggers complete emotional regression
Scenario

When conflict triggers complete emotional regression

My DBT skills work for everything except when people are angry at me, then I become a sobbing child begging for forgiveness.

Patan
Online
The coach is replying

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

The terror of others' anger can bypass all adult coping resources and trigger such primitive survival responses that dignity becomes irrelevant.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with DBT for emotional dysregulation?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.