Addressing Emotional Overwhelm in the Family the Proactive Way

Feelings of emotional overwhelm can happen to anyone at any point in life. Some people become overwhelmed with emotions when certain people, situations or tasks require more attention than usual. Others feel it when things seem to be happening too fast. Still others find their emotional state overwhelming when their interpersonal relationships become an overly stressful experience.

What It Means to Be Emotionally Overwhelmed

The term “emotionally overwhelmed” is often referred to using a variety of terms, such as stress, anxiety, fear, or a feeling of “stop the world….” In the emotional and behavior areas of the health field, it is described as a sensation of being “flooded” or “drowning.” Just like being carried away by a strong current, being emotionally overwhelmed can be described as the inability to thrive among wave after wave of emotionally-provocative stimuli.

While emotions are vital and healthy indicators of living and being engaged, your ability to understand them may be limited or damaged in some way. In fact, being emotionally overwhelmed can be considered an expected response in the face of powerful events taking place. For people with a strong reservoir to confront experiences with intense emotions, they may be able to channel their emotional angst more positively and productively for both themselves and outwardly.

The struggle lies when people do not effectively focus on the present moment, or cannot positively channel their energy in the appropriate directions. The level of stress, the coping skills and the amount of support available are often significant factors when a person feels emotionally overwhelmed. People can become this way for a variety of reasons. Knowing where an emotion is really coming from can help you proactively face and resolve it.

When You Feel Emotionally Overwhelmed in the Family

People have an intrinsic need to be connected emotionally. The desire to be loved and accepted is an important element in the family as a place where members can receive safe nurturance of their emotional needs.

The family systems theory developed by psychiatrist and researcher, Dr. Murray Bowen, supports the view that the family is an emotional unit composed of members who are intensely connected emotionally. The members are so profoundly affected by each other’s thoughts, feelings and actions. A change in one’s functioning can reciprocally cause a change in the functioning of others.

It is for this reason that when tension and unrest prevail in the family, the emotional connections can become stressful. One or more members may eventually feel emotionally overwhelmed and off kilter. If you are inclined to take on the emotions of all the other members and assume an accommodating role, it is not surprising that you may become emotionally overwhelmed vulnerable to issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, marital discord, and possibly eating or sleeping disorders.

Emotional overwhelm is correlated to a variety of physical health problems. As the negative emotions increase, the body decreases its ability to fight off infection. Due to poor or insufficient sleep, the body can suffer from fatigue. When this happens, it can often necessary to undergo medication or hospitalization for the body to rejuvenate, re-energize, and strengthen its immunity system.

The Causes and Symptoms of Unhealthy Emotional Overwhelm in the Family

The causes of emotional overwhelm in the family vary. This may include relationship problems, financial difficulties, death of a family member, relocation, the birth of a baby, or past sexual abuse. Whether it is an underlying physical, emotional or behavioral issue, the signs which indicate that the family is not emotionally connected in a healthy manner may be one or a combination of the following:

Withdrawal or isolation of family members in different rooms or on their devices when in the home
Turning to drugs, food, work, or hobbies as substitutes when needing comfort from family
Home conversations center on a member’s activities rather than his or her feelings
Relationships outside the home are given priority over the family

An emotionally overwhelmed individual may become depressed or irritable, anxious and stressful over ordinary things. You may be unable to distinguish how thoughts or beliefs impact your daily life. It is also possible to feel the symptoms of physical illness, leading to irrational actions and failure to complete tasks. It may be difficult to express the source of your emotional overwhelm because it is often caused by a multitude of stressful events. As a result, a person under the burden of emotional overwhelm may manifest behavioral changes and falter in his or her daily routine and relationships.

A litmus test to indicate your emotional overwhelm is unhealthy is to look at how the important areas of your life, such as relationships and career have become disrupted. If you find you are experiencing difficulty communicating with your family members, missing out on important personal and social activities, have a decreased performance level at home and at work, are becoming withdrawn in your intimate and friendly relationships; chances are your emotional resiliency is suffering too. Feeling emotionally overwhelmed in the family is one of the reasons to consider counseling.

The Benefits of Therapy

When faced with emotional turmoil, it can mean it’s time to gather your inner resources and address your difficult emotions. It may be very helpful to talk to your family members and some trusted friends, though they may be supportive, they may not be able to provide the necessary degree of help. While talking about your feelings with them can contribute to your feel better, talking to a trained therapist is much different.

Seeing a counselor can be a sensible first step if you want to sort through your emotions, especially those affecting your overall relationship within the family. Talking to a professional can help you discover the roots of your overwhelming emotions, explore these emotional challenges, learn the skills to lessen the potential emotional stressors, and make positive changes in many important aspects in your life.

Get Help Resolving Your Overwhelming Emotions

Facing your overwhelming emotions alone is a daunting task and you may find yourself overcome with more difficult feelings of anxiety if you do not seek the right assistance. If you feel your emotions are overwhelming you, don’t keep it bottled inside. You do not have to continue struggling with your feelings alone. Call Carolina Counseling Services – Pittsboro, NC for help.

At CCS – Pittsboro, NC, you will be matched with an independently contracted counselor who is the right fit professional who can help you understand and resolve your feelings. Talking to someone who can explain your feelings from a different perspective can help you feel less overwhelmed, confused and alone. It can be the welcome change you need to get help from someone who can offer you a safe and therapeutic space where you can reduce your overwhelming emotions without being judged.

When a wave of emotions is threatening your well-being, take the proactive step, by seeking counseling. Remember, reaching out for help when needed is a wise thing to do! Call CCS – Pittsboro, NC to schedule your initial counseling appointment!