Inhibitions

Welcome to our exploration of "Inhibitions," a key concept in understanding our emotional patterns. This page is designed to help you recognize how inhibitory emotions can act as a secondary layer of defense, preventing us from experiencing our authentic emotions.

Understanding Inhibitions

Inhibitions in the emotional context refer to feelings that arise to control, suppress, or moderate our more vulnerable emotions. The inhibitory emotions are guilt, shame and anxiety. They often kick in after our initial defenses (like denial or rationalization) have been bypassed.

Why Do Inhibitions Happen?

Inhibitions serve as a psychological safety net. When our primary defenses fail to protect us from emotional pain, inhibitions step in to further shield us. For instance, if the idea of feeling sadness is too overwhelming, guilt might take over to prevent the full experience of that sadness.

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.

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.

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.