{"id":12165,"date":"2026-01-28T20:49:51","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T20:49:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bpdalliance.org\/?page_id=12165"},"modified":"2026-03-09T15:01:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T15:01:59","slug":"understanding-emotions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/s2.designcostaging.com\/clients\/bpd\/understanding-emotions\/","title":{"rendered":"Emotion Dysregulation in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Because chronic emotion dysregulation is a hallmark of borderline personality disorder (BPD), it is helpful to understand how emotions work\u2014and what happens when regulating them becomes difficult.<\/p>\n

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Emotions are often misunderstood. They are frequently labeled as \u201cgood\u201d or \u201cbad,\u201d praised when they feel pleasant and criticized when they feel uncomfortable or overwhelming. A more helpful way to understand emotions is to look at how they function rather than judging their presence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Emotions can be described in a clear, non-judgmental way. When viewed through this lens, emotions become easier to understand, respond to, and work with\u2014rather than something to fight against or suppress.<\/p>\n

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KEY TAKEAWAY<\/h3>\n

The intense emotions that often come with BPD can be really difficult to manage\u2014gaining skills to tolerate distress and regulate emotions can decrease emotional reactivity and allow for more mindful behavior choices. Though we often judge our emotions (especially unpleasant and intense ones), they are a normal, biological process that contain important information. People\u2019s natural levels of emotional sensitivity and reactivity can be very different, and it can be hard to understand others when their emotional experiences are different from our own.<\/p>\n

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Emotions Are
Natural and Universal<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Emotions are biological responses that all humans experience. They arise automatically in response to internal or external events and are not something we actively choose. Because emotions are part of our biological makeup, having emotions\u2014whether strong or subtle\u2014is a normal part of being human.<\/p>\n

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Emotions Have a Purpose<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Emotions are functional. They serve important roles in daily life, including:<\/p>\n