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ECONOMIC HARD TIMES: A TOOLKIT FOR REGULATING
EMOTION WHEN EVERYTHING SEEMS OUT OF CONTROL
Together We Can April Naturale, PhD
Lafayette, LAOct. 6, 2010
GOALTo introduce techniques and skills
to regulate out-of-control emotions and behaviors and to reduce stress responses such as anxiety, anger and substance abuse
OBJECTIVES To be able to identify the mechanisms of
thinking that allows one to regain control of emotions
Learn how emotion regulation techniques and cognitive restructuring are utilized to decrease anxiety
To be able to explain emotion regulation techniques and provide self control tips to clients
UNDERSTAND THIS THOUGHTS CAUSE FEELINGS
EVENTS HAVE NO EMOTIONAL CONTENT
IT IS YOUR INTERPRETATION THAT CAUSES YOUR EMOTIONS
EMOTION REGULATION Recognizing Out-of-Control Emotions Learning Techniques to Decrease Over-
Emotional Responses - Communications - Thinking Processes - Activities Employing Help
COGNITIVE RESTRUCTURING A technique to modify unrealistic beliefs
and automatic thoughts that lead to disturbing emotions and impaired functioning
Based on concept of ‘problematic thinking styles’
Goal is to identify and challenge problematic thinking and adopt more balanced pattern of thinking
Balanced thinking should lead to positive emotional and behavioral change
8 PROBLEM THINKING STYLES Filtering: focus on the negative Polorization: black and white; all or none Overgeneralization:stretch to conclusions Mind Reading: assuming you know Catastrophizing: expecting the worst Magnifying: exaggerating Personalization: it’s all about you Shoulds: unrealistic and inflexible rules
THE 5 STEPS Identify the situation Identify the strongest feeling Identify the thought/problem
thinking style Challenge the problem thinking Make a decision/Action Plan
ARE YOU READY? Identifying a key issue Consider personal vs. imagined scenarios Prepare for emotional responses
EXERCISE #1 First try to identify what type of
thinker you are most of the time
Identify a problem situation Identify your automatic thoughts
Assign the problem thinking style
CHALLENGING THOUGHTS Is your thinking accurate/Is it helpful What facts do you have in support of your thinking What facts do you have against your
thinking What is the evidence
OBJECTIVITYIs there another way to look at the
situationIs there another explanationHow would someone else view thisAre my thoughts based on feeling
rather than fact
REFRAMING Am I taking too much responsibility or control Am I overestimating risk-What is the most realistic thing that would happen if my fear is true Am I underestimating what I can do to manage Are there other ways to handle this problem
MAKE A DECISION/ACTION PLAN
Decide if facts support you or not Decide if your thought is accurate or not Can you convince another person If your thoughts are unsupported, develop new, more accurate balanced thoughts If your thoughts are supported, develop an action plan to address the problem
ANXIETY
Chronically anxious about future dangers or threats Always making negative predictions Overestimating probability of bad things happening Repetition of same worries over and over Difficulty finding solutions to problems
ANXIETY MANAGEMENT Relaxation Risk Assessment Anxiety Exposure Anxiety Behavior Prevention Anxiety Coping
ANGER MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
Identification of Blame Owning Emotions Appropriate Assertiveness Honest Appraisal‘I’ Statements
ANGRY VS. ASSERTIVEPERSONALITY STYLES
Passive Aggressive Passive-Aggressive Manipulative Appropriately Assertive
“I” STATEMENTS I feel…(describe specifically) About or when this happens (what was the situation)
Because (if you want to) Be honest Be respectful Identify what you would like to do to achieve the outcome you want
SUBSTANCE USE AND ABUSE Substance use increases after traumatic events: In some cases, it turns into abuse
This creates potential health and public safety problems
It also increases the risk for incidents
of domestic violence
COUNTERACTING ABUSE Know the warning signs Find a buddy, a sponsor, a friend Set up a signal Go back to meetings Bring someone new into recovery Journal, exercise, sing, knit
AT HOME
Promote an atmosphere where attention
to one's emotional state is acceptable and encouraged
rather than stigmatized, invalidated, disregarded or
ignored.
REDUCING STRESS DURING TOUGH TIMES: PRIORITY SETTING & PLANNING
Family Meetings: Daily Assignments,
Plans and Concerns Child Care and Pet Care Shared Calendar and Reminder System Have Expectations Communication and Contact Plans Review and Practice
RESOURCE ALLOCATION Know your Budget Apply Restrictions as Appropriate
Initiate Simple Interactive Activities Suggest Neighborhood Events Plan Family Outings Vacation close to home
FOR PRIVATE OR MORE SERIOUS CONCERNS
Draw Upon Your Spirituality and Personal Beliefs.
Take Advantage of -Specialized Programs -Faith-Based Counseling -Employee Assistance Programs
AND ABOUT THE CHILDRENListen and Talk, Encouraging them to
Ask Questions.Provide Comfort and Reassure Them
They Will Be Safe. Encourage them to discuss how they
have been affected by what is happening.
Talk on their level. Don’t get too technical.
Find out what frightens them.