Have you ever heard your teen say, “I shouldn’t feel this way,” or, “If I feel it, it’ll never stop”? These thoughts can leave them feeling stuck, frustrated, or even ashamed of their emotions. Teens often develop beliefs about emotions based on their environment, culture, or personal experiences, and these beliefs can shape how they handle life’s challenges.
The problem is, many of these beliefs are simply untrue. They’re emotional myths—misunderstandings that make it harder for teens to accept and regulate their feelings. As a parent, it can be hard to know how to help when your teen feels trapped by these harmful thoughts.
That’s where Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) comes in. DBT’s Emotion Regulation skills specifically address emotional myths, helping teens challenge their assumptions and gain a healthier perspective on their feelings.
The Truth Behind Emotional Myths
The first step in breaking free from emotional myths is identifying them. Here are some of the most common myths we hear from teens, along with the truths that debunk them:
Myth: “I shouldn’t feel this way.”
Truth: Emotions aren’t right or wrong—they simply are. Feeling angry, sad, or anxious doesn’t mean something is wrong with your teen. These emotions are signals from their mind and body, and learning to listen to them is key.
Myth: “If I let myself feel it, the emotion will never stop.”
Truth: Emotions are like waves—they rise, peak, and fall. When teens avoid their feelings, they prolong the discomfort. Allowing emotions to surface and run their course can actually bring relief faster.
Myth: “My emotions define me.”
Truth: Emotions are part of being human, but they don’t determine a person’s worth or identity. A teen feeling anxious isn’t “an anxious person”—they’re simply experiencing anxiety in that moment.
When teens learn to challenge these myths, they free themselves from the shame or fear tied to their emotions. This clarity allows them to manage their feelings more effectively and respond in ways that align with their goals and values.
How One Teen Conquered Emotional Myths
When Avoiding Sadness Became Overwhelming
Lila, a 14-year-old, had always been taught to “stay positive.” Whenever she felt sad or upset, she told herself she shouldn’t feel that way. Over time, this belief left her bottling up her emotions. She began withdrawing from friends, avoiding situations that might trigger sadness, and feeling more alone.
In therapy, Lila’s DBT specialist helped her identify the emotional myth she was holding onto: “If I let myself feel sad, I’ll never stop crying.” Together, they challenged this myth. Lila learned that sadness, like all emotions, follows a natural wave pattern—it grows, peaks, and fades.
To test this, her therapist guided her through a mindfulness exercise where she allowed herself to feel sad about a difficult situation at school. She noticed the sadness rise and eventually subside. By confronting her fear of emotions, Lila realized that allowing herself to feel wasn’t overwhelming—it was freeing.
Over time, Lila became more comfortable sitting with her feelings and expressing them to others. She stopped bottling up her sadness and built stronger relationships with her friends and family as a result.
Stories like Lila’s show how powerful it can be for teens to challenge emotional myths. By replacing unhelpful beliefs with the truth, they develop greater emotional resilience and confidence.
Why Addressing Emotional Myths Changes Everything
At Creative Healing, our team of DBT-certified specialists has spent over 10 years helping teens challenge emotional myths and build healthier relationships with their feelings. We’ve seen firsthand how addressing these myths transforms how teens handle life’s stressors.
Here’s how we’ve helped teens shift their perspective:
From Avoidance to Acceptance: Teens learn that avoiding emotions only prolongs discomfort. Accepting and processing their feelings helps them move forward.
From Shame to Self-Compassion: When teens realize their emotions aren’t “bad,” they’re able to approach themselves with kindness and understanding.
From Reactivity to Mindful Responses: Challenging myths about urgency (e.g., “I have to fix this now”) allows teens to slow down and respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively.
These shifts don’t just benefit teens—they also improve their relationships with family members, friends, and peers. When teens have a healthier view of their emotions, they communicate better and feel more connected.
Take the First Step Toward Emotional Clarity
As a parent, you have the power to help your teen break free from emotional myths and create a healthier relationship with their feelings. DBT skills like Emotion Regulation provide the tools they need to identify and challenge harmful beliefs, ultimately giving them more control over their emotions and choices.
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Teens often believe harmful myths like “I shouldn’t feel this way” or “My emotions will never stop.” Help them break free with DBT tools. Read more on the blog at creativehealingphilly.com/blog. 💡 #DBTSkills #ParentingTeens #TeenMentalHealth #EmotionalResilience #CopingSkills #HealingJourney #Mindfulness