If you're reading this, you're probably dealing with some heavy stuff - significant mood swings, feeling out of control, or maybe even messed up thoughts. It's tough, but you're not alone; we estimate that almost 10% of people deal with these kinds of challenges.
Check out these descriptions - do any of them resonate with your experience?
Do you feel things way more intensely than others? Does it take forever to calm down after you get upset?
Do you struggle with impulsive behavior when feeling strong emotions? Turn to risky behaviors to cope?
Are you stuck in extreme thinking patterns, like thinking no one will like you or you'll never succeed?
Are you your own worst critic? Do you assume you're unlovable or feel like a burden on others?
Do you think in black-and-white ways? Imagine people talking about you behind your back?
Are your relationships chaotic? Terrified of people leaving you? Go from loving to hating quickly?
Do you feel disconnected? Unsure who you are? Take on others' emotions? Sometimes feel unreal?
It's not your fault. Some of us are born with brains that feel everything more intensely - like having an emotional speaker system permanently set to max volume.
Our brains are wired differently - some of us have a super sensitive emotional alarm system (the amygdala) and a less developed calming system (the prefrontal cortex). That makes it tough to handle big feelings.
On top of that, if you grew up feeling like your emotions weren't understood or accepted, or if you've been through tough experiences like trauma or chronic illness, it can make things even harder.
Feeling overwhelmed and wondering if things will ever get better is natural. But guess what? Experts have devised a way to help you manage those intense emotions and struggles.