The Real Reasons We All Struggle with Emotions
Alexithymia, interoception, and emotional regulation
There are three primary reasons why we all struggle with emotional regulation, and with emotions in general. This isn’t about our inability to talk about our feelings, the problems begin before we even get to that point.
The first two reasons can be applied to just about anyone, and the last one is primarily applicable to Autistics and other neurodivergent folks.
We’re taught to ignore and mistrust our own bodies
Children are indirectly taught not to listen to what their bodies are telling them. This despite the fact that some of our more “modern” (yet still out-dated) social-emotional learning (SEL) programming teaches children to listen to their bodies.
“I’m hungry.” — “We just had lunch, you can’t possibly be hungry already!”
“I need to go to the bathroom.” — “We just had a bathroom break, you can wait until recess time.”
“I don’t like this food.” — “You’re expected to eat the dinner in front of you!”
“They hurt my feelings.” — “Sticks and stones, just ignore them.”
And so on and so forth.
