Ever heard of amygdala hijacking?
Amygdala hijacking, coined by psychologist Daniel Goleman in his book "Emotional Intelligence "describing a sudden, overwhelming emotional response that bypasses rational thought. The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped structure in the brain in the limbic system that plays a crucial role in processing emotions, particularly fear and pleasure responses. When a person experiences a perceived threat or intense emotional stimulus, the amygdala can initiate a rapid, instinctual reaction before the conscious brain has a chance to fully process the situation.
The concept of amygdala hijacking highlights the brain`s evolutionary design for survival. In threatening or highly emotional situations, the brain prioritizes swift action over careful deliberation. However, in modern society, amygdala hijacking can lead to impulsive or irrational behaviour in response to non-life-threatening situations. For example, a person might react with anger or aggression during a heated argument, even if the disagreement does not pose a physical threat. Similarly, someone might experience overwhelming anxiety before giving a public presentation, triggering the fight-flight-freeze response despite the absence of any real danger.
The phenomenon of amygdala hijacking can underscore the ability to sit with a thought, the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one`s own emotions and those of others. This can lead us to act in ways that upon reflection are often hurtful, and irrational, which makes us feel worse.
Remember, it is not a voluntary process and occurs without your conscious input. But, taking a step back, and reevaluating what is happening in the moment can be very beneficial. Recognizing what the stressor of the situation is, and evaluating its true impact, can allow us a quick moment of clarity when this occurs.
If you find yourself, in a situation like this try to take a step back, and attempt to bring some calm to the storm by practicing mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing techniques, or the 5-4-3-2-1 method! As always, remember to be kind to yourself, as well as others! Happy Tuesday!
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