Module 5: Emotion Regulation II

In DBT, emotions are understood as functional, multi-part responses that help us adapt to our environment—they give us information, prepare us for action, and communicate to others.

Each emotion includes several linked components:

• a prompting event (what triggered it),

• interpretations or thoughts about the event,

• physical changes in the body,

• action urges (what the emotion pushes you to do),

• and expressive behaviors (facial expressions, tone, actions).

The function of emotions is to:

• signal what’s important or needs attention,

• motivate action (e.g., protect, approach, withdraw),

• and communicate internally and socially.

Emotion regulation in DBT focuses on:

• understanding and naming emotions accurately,

• reducing vulnerability (e.g., sleep, health, routine),

• changing unhelpful emotional responses (like using opposite action or problem-solving),

• and responding effectively to emotional cues rather than reacting automatically.

Overall, the model teaches that emotions are not problems to eliminate, but signals to understand and respond to skillfully.