How To Close The Emotional Floodgates

Writer: Isayah Charcopa

We as individuals know firsthand how our emotions can get the best of us. Imagine if your emotions are like a mighty tidal wave and your brain is the ship fighting the mighty storm. All that intensity and pressure will soon get the better of you. That is your emotions overpowering you at best, but in the psychology community, we call it “emotional flooding”.

Emotional flooding is the emotion-reaction state in which an individual is overwhelmed by constant emotional stimuli. In other words, the brain is in full “fight-or-flight” mode taken to the extreme. This type of reaction is often triggered by constant struggles based on personal experiences and encounters. Such a struggle like dealing with a bad breakup with your partner or overcoming the loss of a loved one are perfect examples of how emotions can get the better of us. However, there are signs as to how our emotions can get the better of us.

Furthermore, the individual must recognize what event triggered their emotional state. Even something so mild or severe, nothing is left out as anything can set off all your emotions. Your emotions can cloud judgment and therefore unable to properly regulate your feelings towards proper communication and conflict resolution with friends and family (Petracek, 2025). Nevertheless, there are some ways to overcome emotional flooding.

For instance, the individual has to recognize what experience triggered the emotional flooding. Recognition of said encounter is always the first step towards emotion management. Next, you need to soothe your nerves and take a break whenever you feel overwhelmed. It’s important to never aggravate your emotions when they're already at their breaking point. Finally, self-reflection and seeking help is always proper in growing your safe environment.

Remember These Steps:

1. Recognition

2. Taking a Break

3. Self-Reflection

4. Positivity

5. Seeking Professional Support

In the end, always take into account your emotions, and next time you can prepare for flooding and prevent a breakdown from even happening.

By: Isayah, Charcopa

Source:

Petracek, L. (2025). Understanding and Coping With Emotional Flooding. Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-psyche-pulse/202503/understanding-and-coping-with-emotional-flooding