Evolutionary
function
function
Anger
Helps us fight back and defend loves ones/selves from a threat
Heart rate speeds up, muscles tense, sweating, dizziness, narrowing of focus
Fear
"My partner doesn't want to hang out tonight, he says he's going out with friends. He's definitely cheating on me."
Fact: partner said they didn't want to hang out tonight, gave a reason.
Feeling: jealousy, anxiety/fear of abandonment, anger, insecurity
Name one coping skill for sadness.
True or false: emotions are always grounded in fact.
False.
Fear
Helps us and others escape danger, notifies us there is a threat in the environment
Feeling of lightness, warmth in the chest/stomach
Joy
"I hear a noise behind my door, and it's 2am. There's an intruder. Oh god, someone broke in."
Fact: you heard a noise in the hallway.
Feeling: anxiety, fear
Name one coping skill for overstimulation.
Going to a quiet/dark room, noise canceling headphones, sensory grounding, deep breathing, cold water
Name the evolutionary function of jealousy.
Reaction to perceived threat to/lack of things valuable to self
Disgust
Helps us/others avoid illness/contamination/behaviors that could lead to rejection
Limbs feel heavy, tightness in chest, feeling of fatigue/numbness
Sadness
"That person is picking at a zit. That is so gross. Why would they do that? They probably don't take care of their own hygiene."
Fact: you saw someone pick at a zit.
Feeling: disgust, judgment, contempt
Name one coping skill for panic.
TIPP, sensory grounding, deep breathing, deep pressure therapy
What emotion has these body signs:
Crossing arms/turning away, avoiding eye contact, scoffing/eye rolling/sneering
Contempt/dislike
Sadness
Signals to others that we need social support, strengthens bonds
Shoulders slump, face feels hot, difficulty making eye contact
Shame
"I've had such a bad day. Nothing went right. Tomorrow's gonna be the same: it won't get better and I'll just keep feeling bad."
Fact: you had a bad day today
Feeling: hopelessness, fortune telling/catastrophization, all or nothing thinking
Name one coping skill for anger.
TIPP/sensory grounding, cold shower, take a walk/go for a run, focused/deep breathing, scream into a pillow
What emotion has these body signs:
Fast heartbeat, inability to speak/move, dizziness, numbness, breathlessness
Shock
Shame
Helps us avoid rejection from the group
Flushed face, clenched jaw/grinding teeth, jerky body movements, voice gets louder/faster
Anger
"I can't believe I got a C on this paper. I'm never going to college, I'm such a failure. God, my parents are going to disown me."
Fact: got a C on a paper
Feeling: disappointment, shame, anxiety
Name one coping skill for shame.
Thought diffusion, check the facts, affirmations, talk to a trusted person, distraction
Preserving energy for survival