What Is Emotional Lability and How Does It Affect You?
What Is the Meaning of Emotional Lability?
People who have a high level of emotional lability are sometimes referred to be “sensitive” or as having “thin skin.”
When they are experiencing good feelings such as happiness, pleasure, excitement, enthusiasm, and amusement, they may be able to switch between them swiftly. However, they also have a tendency to experience negative emotions such as melancholy more intensely than other people.
Emotional Unstable State
It is the propensity to change fast and drastically between distinct emotional states that is referred to as “emotional lability.”
Labilis is derived from the Latin word labilis, which means “to totter, swing, or move in an unsteady fashion.” Emotional lability is sometimes referred to as labile mood, labile affect, and reactivity, among other titles.
When it comes to personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder, emotional lability is more frequent than you may think. However, it can also occur in illnesses such as bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Emotional lability is distinct from other characteristics such as moodiness or having a “short fuse.” People who have a high level of emotional lability undergo rapid and severe shifts that are not driven by anything particular. Their emotions shift fast and unexpectedly throughout the day. They may be OK one minute and suddenly become furious or depressed the next, with no prior indication.
It may be exceedingly upsetting for family and friends to see these rapid fluctuations in mood since they are unable to comprehend what is causing them and how they should behave when a person with emotional lability is in distress.
Emotional Lability Has a Long History
The phrase “emotional lability” was coined by the French psychologist Guillaume Duchenne, who wrote the book The Mechanism of Human Facial Expression in which the term was first used.
His usage of the term was intended to characterize persons who weep readily, but he also observed other sorts of emotional lability such as laughing out loud, flushing, and trembling.
A new idea was developed later by psychologist Peter McKeller, who identified persons with “labile mood” and described them as having a “labile temperament,” both of which were previously unknown.
McKeller discovered that those who had a labile mood had considerable variations in their self-esteem, melancholy, happiness, and anger over a period of time.
This concept of emotional lability was first explored in the 1970s by researchers who looked at how it affected emotionally sensitive or easily disturbed youngsters in particular. After just a few years, emotional lability was recognized as one of the signs and symptoms of borderline personality disorder.
Signs and Symptoms of Emotional Lability
The following are some of the most prevalent symptoms of emotional lability:
Intense emotions and fast mood shifts. Extreme emotions that shift swiftly and alter often during the day are experienced by those who have high emotional lability, even when there is no obvious cause for these transitions to occur.
Inappropriate responses to events that have the potential to affect moods. Inappropriate reactions might occur as a result of emotional instability. A person with high emotional lability, for example, may burst out laughing at a funeral or become terribly unhappy if their sports team loses.
Controlling one’s emotions is difficult. The strength of their sentiments is uncontrollable in those who have a high level of emotional instability. They are unable to “snap out” of bad emotions as soon as they would want, even when they try, which makes it difficult to maintain connections and relationships.
Is It Possible to Be Happier by Accepting Negative Emotions?
Emotional Lability Comes in a Variety of Forms
There are two forms of emotional lability that are often encountered:
A dysphoric or labile state of mind. This kind is characterized by mood swings that occur suddenly and rapidly. For example, a person may have feelings of happiness and excitement before becoming unhappy or sad without warning. These shifts might be unpredictably scheduled and occur more than twice a week on occasion.
Episodes of manic/hypomanic behavior. These episodes are characterized by abrupt, fast, and persistent shifts in mood that may linger for several days or more. In those who suffer from bipolar disorder, they may have sensations of exhilaration, anger, or agitation.
They may also experience poor sleep, erratic thinking, or unsafe actions. These alterations may also lead to risky conduct, such as spending sprees or the undertaking of several new initiatives by those who are experiencing them.
What Is a Manic Episode and How Does It Happen?
Emotional Lability Has Several Root Causes
Affect of the pseudobulbar kind.
This is a sort of emotional lability that may be brought on by brain injury or neurological disorders, among other things. The condition may be brought on by a traumatic brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and other medical conditions. People who suffer from this illness may also endure fits of uncontrollable laughter or tears.
Mood disorders are a kind of mental illness.
Conditions such as bipolar disorder and depression fall under this category.
Medication side effects. Some drugs, such as some antidepressants, have been shown to produce emotional lability.
Addiction to drugs and alcohol. Liability may be caused by a variety of substances, including alcohol and illegal drugs such as marijuana, ecstasy, and PCP.
Borderline personality disorder is a kind of personality disorder that occurs when a person’s emotions are out of control.
People who suffer from this illness often experience quick mood swings and outbursts, which may have a negative impact on their personal, social, and work interactions. When they’re in a good mood, they may also indulge in dangerous conduct such as promiscuity or shopping sprees to express their happiness.
What Should I Do If I Have Uncontrollable Tears?
The Consequences of Emotional Lability
People who suffer from emotional lability often believe that everyone around them is better or more successful than they are themselves. Other individuals who have friends, connections, or people who appreciate them may make them feel envy of their situation.
People who suffer from emotional lability may avoid social situations or professional events because they are concerned that their feelings may interfere with their performance. This may have a negative impact on a person’s feeling of self-worth, self-confidence, and belief in their own capabilities.
Being unable to manage the strength of one’s emotions might also have a negative impact on one’s daily activities. People suffering with emotional lability, for example, may find it difficult to concentrate on work or maintain organizational skills. When they get terrible news, they may also struggle to maintain control over their emotions, which may cause them discomfort and anxiety, exacerbating the issue further.
Emotional Lability is treated in many ways.
A person’s capacity to regulate their emotions is determined by the underlying reason.
8 Antidepressants, for example, may be prescribed by a doctor to aid with mood fluctuations associated with depression or bipolar illness, among other things.
In certain circumstances, relaxation methods such as deep breathing and meditation may be taught as part of the therapy. Therapists may also assist the individual in learning how to cope with their emotions in a healthy and productive manner.
If you or a loved one is suffering from emotional lability, make sure they get professional assistance. Discuss with them the possibility of being diagnosed and working on treatment choices that may have a beneficial influence on their quality of life. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult with your doctor about your treatment options.
Confronting and Coping with Emotional Lability
Managing one’s emotional lability may be a difficult task. However, there are healthy methods to cope with this problem:
Make a decision to do something that makes you feel happy. Make time for self-care and self-compassion every day, whether it’s taking a stroll with a buddy or spending time by yourself.
If you feel the need, take a break. Consider taking some time away from others that make you feel uncomfortable, as well as from those settings.
Confess to yourself that you are experiencing negative emotions. Be aware of the fact that your emotions can sometimes be beyond your control, and do what is best for you despite these feelings.
Take good care of yourself at home and in the office. Get adequate sleep, consume nutritious foods, and engage in regular physical activity.
Keep in mind that there are people on your side.
Don’t be scared to seek assistance from friends and family members who are concerned about your well-being. When it comes to efficiently dealing with emotional lability, this may make a significant difference in the outcome.
Proper self-care may help you manage your stress levels more effectively.
If you are experiencing signs of emotional lability and are experiencing difficulties in social or professional situations, you should consult with a therapist about treatment options. In the case of someone else’s mood swings and erratic behavior, speak to them about seeking assistance from specialists who can give support.
