What is Emotional Inflammation?
Thursday, February 22, 2024.
Emotional inflammation, though not a term that has been extensively researched in scientific literature, is a concept that draws from both psychological and physiological domains.
It is often used metaphorically to describe a state of heightened emotional arousal or reactivity, akin to the body's inflammatory response to physical injury or illness.
In the context of emotions, it refers to a prolonged or exaggerated response to emotional stimuli, leading to psychological distress and potential negative consequences for mental health and well-being.
One prominent thinker who has explored the concept of emotional inflammation is psychologist and author Daniel Goleman. In his book "Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ."
Goleman discusses the impact of emotional arousal on cognitive functioning and overall psychological health. He argues that chronic stress and emotional turmoil can lead to a state of emotional inflammation, characterized by heightened levels of cortisol and other stress hormones, which in turn can impair cognitive abilities, weaken the immune system, and contribute to various physical and mental health problems.
Similarly, in her book "Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life," psychologist Susan David discusses the importance of emotional resilience and flexibility in navigating life's challenges.
She suggests that emotional inflammation can arise when individuals become overly rigid or resistant to their emotions, suppressing or denying them rather than acknowledging and processing them in a healthy way. This avoidance of emotional discomfort can exacerbate stress and lead to a chronic state of emotional inflammation, undermining resilience and well-being.
From a physiological perspective, there is growing evidence to suggest that chronic stress and emotional distress can indeed trigger inflammatory responses in the body.
Research has shown that psychological stressors, such as traumatic experiences, interpersonal conflicts, or ongoing life difficulties, can activate the body's stress response system, leading to the release of stress hormones like cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Over time, this chronic activation of the stress response can contribute to systemic inflammation, which has been linked to a wide range of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and depression.
For example, a study published in the journal "Psychoneuroendocrinology" examined the relationship between childhood adversity, stress reactivity, and inflammation in adulthood.
The researchers found that individuals who had experienced greater adversity in childhood exhibited heightened inflammatory responses to stress in adulthood, suggesting a link between early life stressors, emotional reactivity, and inflammatory processes.
Another study published in the journal "Brain, Behavior, and Immunity" investigated the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on inflammatory markers in adults with chronic inflammatory conditions.
The findings revealed that participants who completed an 8-week MBSR program showed significant reductions in markers of inflammation compared to a control group, highlighting the potential therapeutic benefits of mindfulness practices for mitigating emotional inflammation and its physiological consequences.
The concept of emotional inflammation may not have a specific definition or empirical research dedicated to it, so it represents a useful metaphor for understanding the interconnectedness of psychological and physiological processes in response to stress and emotional arousal.
By acknowledging the role of emotional reactivity in triggering inflammatory responses in the body, individuals can cultivate greater emotional awareness and resilience, thereby reducing the risk of chronic stress-related health problems and enhancing overall well-being.
How the Emotional Inflammation metaphor is being introduced into popular culture…
A rising number of people today are troubled by a phenomenon for which they don’t know there’s a name.
Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Lise Van Susteren and writer Stacey Colino decided to put a finer point on it.
They describe emotional inflammation—as a state not unlike post-traumatic stress disorder but stemming from simply living in today’s anxious, overwhelming, and tumultuous world.
If you’ve suffered from sleep problems, hyperreactivity, persistent grief, or inescapable worry about the future—especially triggered by doomscrolling the nonstop news cycle—then you’re probably dealing with emotional inflammation.
The good news is that there’s something you can do about it…
With her new book, Emotional Inflammation, Dr. Lise Van Susteren offers an engaging new guide to help her readers become more grounded and resilient in these turbulent times.
She begins by helping you to identify your “reactor type.” This will help explain how your body and mind respond to stress overload. Then, you’ll learn some useful interventions for recovering inner balance, personal effectiveness, and joy in your life:
• Recognize Your Feelings: She tells you how to identify, unpack, and learn from difficult emotions
• Evaluate Your Triggers: Pinpointing what sets you off and how you can moderate your reactivity is critical.
• Steady Your Body’s Natural Rhythms: She offers keys for restoring your natural, healthy internal equilibrium
• Think Yourself into a Safe Space: Work with your mind to remain flexible, thoughtful, and adaptable.
• Obey Your Body: Learn essential self-care practices for diet, exercise, stress management, and more.
• Reclaim the Gifts of Nature: Discover how to revitalize your healing connection to the natural world and its awe-inspiring benefits.
• Exercise Your Power: Take effective action from a place of compassion, hope, and love. Be less inflamed and more fully human.
Sounds interesting. We could all use a bit less emotional inflammation these days.
Be well, stay kind, and Godspeed.
