Understanding emotions can be tough, especially when you’re overwhelmed by them. We support teens in our DBT sessions by deciphering their behaviors and the emotions driving them. For example, we often examine patterns such as procrastination, self-destructive responses, or withdrawing from social interactions. In this blog, we’ll explore the behavior of procrastination, along with a root cause—fear of failure. This approach helps teens identify and understand their feelings and behaviors in a supportive environment.
The cycle typically begins with a precipitating event that triggers fear. This could be receiving a new assignment, the prospect of a challenging test, or the need to make important decisions about their future. The realization or anticipation of these tasks can evoke intense fear in teens.
The next step involves the teen's interpretation of the situation. With the example of a challenging test, a teen's thoughts might spiral into:
- "What if I can't understand the material?"
- "I can't fail this test, or I'll ruin my chances for college."
- "Everyone else seems to get it but me."
This pattern of negative thinking leads to a cycle of fear and avoidance, influencing the teen's perception of the situation.
We then encourage teens to pay attention to how their emotions manifest physically and behaviorally. Facing a challenging test, they might:
- Feel a knot in their stomach.
- Have a desire to put off studying.
- Experience headaches or fatigue due to stress.
- Notice difficulty concentrating.
We also prompt teens to observe their emotional expressions, including any changes in their demeanor or actions that might signal their feelings to others.
Finally, we discuss the consequences of the emotional event, including the mental, emotional, and physical aftermath. After avoiding study due to fear of failure, a teen might:
- Feel guilty or more anxious as the test approaches.
- Engage in negative self-talk, reinforcing their fear of failure.
- Suffer from disrupted sleep patterns.
- Withdraw from social activities due to stress.
Helping teens to methodically break down and reflect on these experiences through the model of emotions offers them a clearer understanding of their reactions and behaviors. This structured approach not only helps teens to recognize and articulate their feelings but also equips them with strategies to more effectively manage their emotional responses.