Big Emotions Explained: Understanding Emotion Dysregulation and BPD

It’s All Your Fault: High Conflict People

Understanding Emotion Dysregulation and BPD

In this enlightening episode, Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter explore emotion dysregulation, particularly focusing on its connection to borderline personality disorder (BPD). Fresh from his New Zealand trip, Bill joins Megan to share expert insights into why some individuals experience intense emotional reactions and how this impacts relationships.

The Brain-Emotion Connection

Bill and Megan delve into the neurological aspects of emotion dysregulation, discussing how brain structure influences emotional responses. They explore research about brain development and its role in managing emotions, offering hope through evidence that therapeutic interventions can create positive changes.

From Childhood Through Adolescence

The discussion examines how genetic predisposition, early childhood experiences, and parent-child relationships shape emotional regulation abilities. Bill and Megan provide valuable insights for parents struggling to distinguish between typical teenage behavior and potentially concerning patterns, while exploring how media and social networks can reinforce unhealthy emotional patterns.

Questions we answer in this episode:

• What is emotion dysregulation and how does it relate to BPD?
• How can parents distinguish between normal teenage emotions and concerning behavior?
• What role does brain structure play in emotional regulation?
• Can emotional regulation skills be improved through therapy?
• How do early childhood experiences impact emotional regulation?

Key Takeaways:

• Emotion dysregulation is a key component of BPD but can be managed with proper treatment
• Brain structure plays a crucial role in emotional regulation
• Early childhood experiences significantly impact emotional regulation abilities
• The teenage years present a critical window for developing emotional regulation skills
• Media and social networks can reinforce unhealthy emotional patterns

This episode provides essential insights for parents, mental health professionals, and anyone seeking to understand emotional regulation better. Bill and Megan offer practical, science-based information while maintaining a compassionate perspective on managing big emotions.

Links & Other Notes

COACHING & CONSULTATION

• Consultation (1-hour)
• Coaching: Live Lab

BOOKS

• The Big Book on Borderline Personality Disorder
• The Borderline Personality Disorder Wellness Planner for Families

COURSES

• Conflict Influencer™ Class
• High Conflict Legal Dispute Resolver Certification

ARTICLES

• Keep the Conflict Small (with managed emotions)

OUR WEBSITE: https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/

Submit a Question for Bill and Megan

All of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.

You can also find these show notes at our site as well.

Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing general patterns of behavior. Nor are we providing legal of therapeutic advice. Please seek the assistance of your local professionals to seek help.

• (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
• (00:38) - Emotion Disregulation
• (01:18) - Catching Up
• (04:53) - Big Emotions and BPD
• (06:30) - Correlations
• (07:26) - Quick Shifts
• (16:53) - Anger Management Classes
• (18:02) - Teen Years
• (20:16) - Deciding What’s Normal
• (26:40) - If You’re the Parent
• (28:33) - Media Influence
• (31:29) - Bottom Line
• (32:01) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Anger