Inhibitions

Learning Series

Inhibitory Emotions

Welcome to our exploration of "Inhibitory Emotions" a key concept in understanding our emotional patterns. This page is designed to help you recognize how inhibitory emotions can prevent us from experiencing our authentic emotions.

Understanding Inhibitions

Inhibitions in the emotional context refer to feelings that arise to control, suppress, or moderate our core emotions. The inhibitory emotions are guilt, shame and anxiety. These are sometimes referred to as "social" emotions that help us navigate our interactions with others and maintain social harmony.

Why Do Inhibitions Happen?

Inhibitions serve as a way of making us aware of the delicate balance between what we are feeling and what other people are feeling. They serve a crucial function of socialization and are therefore essential for maintaining relationships and social order. However, when inhibitory emotions become too dominant, they can obscure our true feelings and prevent us from fully experiencing our emotions.

The Impact of Inhibitions

While initially protective, inhibitions can complicate our emotional lives by creating layers that obscure our true feelings. This can lead to several issues:

  • Reduced emotional awareness: Difficulty in identifying what we truly feel.
  • Impaired emotional expression: Struggles with expressing emotions authentically.
  • Stifled emotional growth: Limits on our ability to process and grow from our emotional experiences.
  • Relationship challenges: Hindrances in forming deep and meaningful connections with others.

Recognizing Inhibitory Emotions

Becoming aware of your inhibitory emotions is the first step in dealing with them effectively. Here's how you can start to recognize and understand these emotions:

1. Self-Observation

Pay close attention to your emotional responses in different situations. Notice if there seems to be a "buffer" emotion that always pops up when you're about to feel something deeply. Something that prevents you from expressing your true feelings with others.

2. Reflect on the Source

Ask yourself what the primary emotion might be that your inhibitions are covering up. Are you feeling anxious because you might actually be sad or hurt underneath?

3. Journaling

Keep a daily or weekly journal of your emotions and their contexts. Over time, patterns might emerge that reveal your inhibitory emotions and the triggers that bring them out. You can also use the aemote app to track how your inhibitions show up in your daily life.

Addressing Inhibitory Emotions

Dealing with inhibitory emotions involves gently confronting them and allowing yourself to feel the primary emotions they hide. Remember, guilt, shame, and anxiety are not inherently negative emotions, but they can become problematic when they prevent us from experiencing our true feelings.

Strategies to Overcome Inhibitions

  • Mindfulness and Meditation: These practices can help you stay present with your emotions without immediate judgment or suppression.
  • Therapy: Professional help, especially from therapeutic approaches like Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), can be highly effective in navigating and resolving inhibitory emotions. You can also use the aemote app to track your progress and share insights with your therapist.
  • Open Communication: Discussing your feelings with trusted individuals can help validate your primary emotions and reduce the power of inhibitions.

Conclusion

Understanding and addressing inhibitory emotions is crucial for emotional authenticity and depth. By recognizing and processing these emotions, you can start to experience your feelings more fully and enrich your emotional life. Remember, this journey towards emotional clarity is ongoing, and seeking help is a sign of strength and commitment to your well-being.