Negative emotions: can they have a positive impact?

Are emotions inherently bad for human beings?

The emotional world of each person spans the space of a lifetime. Such is the interest in the concept of emotion that many scientists of the mind are dedicated to studying it in depth in order to better understand the human being.

For some years now, one of the debates on emotions has been aimed at resolving a basic categorization: Are all emotions definable? Are there good and bad emotions? Do we have to worry about some emotions, such as anger, in favor of others, such as joy?

In this article we will present an explanation of this "negative" field of emotions and explain its raison d'etre and explain their raison d'être, although in general terms we advance that we need all emotions, whether we like them or not, as they help us to understand the world and cope with it.

• Related article, "Why is it beneficial to express emotions?"

Are they really negative or unpleasant emotions?

We find it interesting to make this first clarification regarding the title of the article. It is necessary to bear in mind that language always has an influenceas if words were colors that delimit the landscape. In this case, talking about negative emotions would lead us to think that we always have to be in a positive state, adding, when the brain does not work like that.

The brain is an organ that is constantly active (always positive). (always positive), whether we are in a state of panic or one of curiosity. Therefore, when we say that an emotion is unpleasant, we are referring to the fact that:

• It does not generate a sensation of pleasure, but rather tension and possibly Pain or distress.
• It informs us of a threat or obstacle.
• Its basic function is our protection and care.

Many people who come to us for help are afraid of these emotions, especially fear of losing control when they feel it. Therefore, it is important to point out that the emotion does not have to coincide with the actthat is, feeling anger does not imply aggression. Social and family norms and reasoning help to modulate unpleasant emotions in order to manage them.

The real problem? Misaligned emotions

To be in tune with unpleasant emotions is to be in connection with ourselves.. When these emotions (the pleasant ones too) become maladjusted, triggered, lead us to impulsive acts, isolation, repetition of mistakes... it is time to contact a psychology professional.

Concretely, each maladjusted emotion functions as a base and mobilizer in each mental disorder.. With this we do not mean that by solving the emotional maladjustment the disorder is solved, since it is more complex than that, although we do admit that when the disease is cured, the emotion will be adjusted.

Mismatched Emotions and Related Disorders

These are the ways in which the misalignment of emotions can affect us negatively.

1. Fear

Paralyzing and agitating fear is the basis for anxiety and panic disorders.. Its function is to protect us from a threat and prepare us to flee or block.

Being maladjusted, sufferers are unable to determine where the threat is or where are unable to determine where the threat is and what it consists of, leaving the brainThis leaves the brain confused when making a decision and this state of anxiety remains for a longer period of time.

2. Sadness

Prolonged and marked sadness is the basis of a depressive disorder. Sadness speaks to us of nostalgia, loss and need for contact.

When the condition is prolonged and there is no change, hopelessness and the feeling of incomprehension invade the person who suffers it, going from sadness to an attitude of resignation, subjecting him/her to a lethargic and increasingly dull state.The person who suffers from this condition, going from sadness to an attitude of resignation, subjecting him or her to a lethargic and increasingly dull state.

3. Anger and disgust

Anger and disgust are the basis of impulse control problems. impulse control problems.. These emotions function as energizers to solve obstacles and/or threats that we can deal with.

As we have seen before, when we can reflect and act appropriately, anger can be transformed into assertiveness. It is this reasoning problem, this disconnection with the prefrontal cortex, that can lead to the impulse and act of excessive aggression.

4. Guilt

Intense and chronic guilt is part of the emotional dependency. Guilt mediates our social environment, informing us of the limits that exist in our relationship with others and of the need to repair any harm we may have committed.

Generally, family and social norms modulate this emotion. When guilt is excessive, it blocks learning, and the sense of identity is lost.When guilt is excessive, it blocks learning, the sense of identity is lost and attention is kept on pleasing the other person so as not to make any more mistakes.

Emotions are a team

Finally, we would like to point to the idea that emotions are not separate entities. emotions are not separate entities, but rather function as a team that distributes leadership that distributes leadership according to the situation, and this also applies when they are misaligned.

For example, anger can be directed towards oneself and, when maintained over time, it generates an attitude of resignation that can lead to depression. This depression may progress to an anxiety disorder, and later in an anxiety crisis it is possible to go from fear to anger.