What Are The Effects Of Suppressing Emotions?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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“Suppressing your emotions, whether it’s anger, sadness, grief or frustration, can

lead to physical stress on your body

. The effect is the same, even if the core emotion differs,” says provisional clinical psychologist Victoria Tarratt. “We know that it can affect blood pressure, memory and self-esteem.”

What can suppressing emotions hurt you?

Suppressing our feelings can lead to

exacerbated depression, anxiety, panic attacks and other mental health issues

. Since so many of us have been taught to suppress our emotions, we’re trying to cope with life while these feelings are wreaking havoc on our balance and peace.

What happens when we suppress negative emotions?

Studies have shown that

suppressing emotions actually endangers your health and well-being

, both physically and psychologically. Emotional suppression (having a stiff upper lip or “sucking it up”) might decrease outward expressions of emotion but not the inner emotional experience.

Does suppressing make emotions worse?

Pretending you don’t have certain feelings might help you avoid expressing them publicly , but

it doesn’t make them go away

. In fact, holding back your emotions can actually intensify them. A classic example of this involves anger. Many people believe it’s better to tamp down anger than express it.

What are the consequences of repressed emotions?

Repressed emotions can also factor into mental health conditions, such as stress, anxiety, and depression. These issues often cause physical symptoms, including:

muscle tension and pain

.

nausea and digestive problems

.

Is it healthy to repress emotions?

There isn’t a lot of research that indicates that repressed emotions cause health problems. But your

overall emotional and mental health is directly linked to your physical health

. Repressed anger or other negative emotions may be tied to a higher risk for things like: Depression.

Why do I not cry?

There are many reasons why you might struggle to shed a tear or two. It might be because of a

physical ailment

but, more often than not, an inability to cry says a lot about our emotional state, our beliefs and prejudices about crying, or our past experiences and trauma.

Can your emotions hurt you?

Emotional pain

can often feel as strong as physical pain

and at times can even cause symptoms of pain throughout the body. It can also have a detrimental impact on both short-term and long-term mental well-being, so getting appropriate help and treatment is important.

How can I feel my emotions again?

  1. Take a look at the impact of your emotions. Intense emotions aren’t all bad. …
  2. Aim for regulation, not repression. …
  3. Identify what you’re feeling. …
  4. Accept your emotions — all of them. …
  5. Keep a mood journal. …
  6. Take a deep breath. …
  7. Know when to express yourself. …
  8. Give yourself some space.

Is it normal to not feel emotions?

Feeling emotionally numb, or a general lack of emotion, can be a symptom of several different medical conditions or a side effect of some medications. It can cause a sense of isolation or emotional disconnect from the rest of the world. The numbness can be unbearable for many people who experience it.

Why is being emotional a bad thing?

Additionally, feeling

overly emotional can be exhausting and unpleasant

. Some people may feel out of control because of intense anger or anxiety. Some symptoms that a person might notice due to high emotions include: difficulty sleeping.

What is a person with no feelings called?


apathetic

. / (ˌæpəˈθɛtɪk) / adjective. having or showing little or no emotion; indifferent.

Why is controlling your emotions important?

Recognising your emotions and learning to manage them is one of the most important skills you can have. In fact people who are good at noticing how they

feel

and can calm themselves down or adjust their behaviour are more likely to do well in life, have healthy relationships and manage difficulties and set backs.

Can holding in emotions make you sick?

Emotional stress, like that from blocked emotions, has not only been linked to mental ills, but also to physical problems like heart disease, intestinal problems, headaches, insomnia and autoimmune disorders.

Can emotions be turned off?

Emotions and feelings are a vital part of human connection.

Some people are able to turn off their emotions in order to protect themselves

. For others, emotional numbing is unintended. It may even be part of a larger issue, like depression or a personality disorder.

What actually causes depression?

Research suggests that depression doesn’t spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain,

genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems

.

Leah Jackson
Author
Leah Jackson
Leah is a relationship coach with over 10 years of experience working with couples and individuals to improve their relationships. She holds a degree in psychology and has trained with leading relationship experts such as John Gottman and Esther Perel. Leah is passionate about helping people build strong, healthy relationships and providing practical advice to overcome common relationship challenges.