MANAGING DIFFICULT EMOTIONS.

Rather than engaging in unhealthy coping

Some emotions are positive. Think of
mechanisms the following can be done (healthy
happiness, joy, interest, curiosity, excitement,
gratitude, love, and contentment. These coping):
positive emotions feel good. Negative emotions ‘PATH ANAYLSIS’
— like sadness, anger, loneliness, jealousy, self-
criticism, fear, or rejection — can be difficult, 1. P- Pause: Instead of acting on feelings
even painful at times. right away, stop yourself and think things
through.
That's especially true when we feel a negative
emotion too often, too strongly, or we dwell on 2. A- Acknowledge: Understand that it
it too long. is okay to feel the way you are feeling
and accept your emotions.
Negative emotions are impossible to avoid, 3. T- Think: Brainstorm ways of making
though. Everyone feels them from time to time.
yourself feel better.
They may be difficult, but we can learn to
handle them. 4. H- Help: Take action to help yourself
Difficult emotions can be dealt with in an based on the ideas you came up with in
unhealthy way. For example: the think section.
1. Denial- Trying to protect oneself by refusing Other ways of dealing can include- exercising,
to accept the truth about something that's indulging in creativity, talking it out, etc.
happening in your life.
2. Withdrawal- tendency to escape from or
avoid situations that may be experienced as
emotionally or psychologically challenging.
3. Bullying- seek to harm, intimidate, or coerce
someone perceived as vulnerable.
4. Self-harm and substance abuse- Drug,
Alcohol Abuse, Starving, Overeating, Cutting,
Overdosing, Over Spending, Unsafe Sex,
Indulging in Dangerous Acts, Etc.