Every emotion has a trigger, a specific function (“what does the emotion want me to do?”) and an underlying need. Therefore, we can call our emotions “Need Fulfillment Assistants”.
Functional vs. Dysfunctional Emotions
This can be compared with generators of a wind turbine: the wind, a specific trigger (which we always evaluate subjectively!), sets the wind turbine in motion. This activates the corresponding emotion, which in turn releases energy.
This kinetic energy is then converted into concrete action energy, which in the generator model corresponds to the conversion into electrical power. The action energy corresponds to the function of the respective emotion, which subsequently feeds the underlying “need-battery”.
As soon as the emotion-specific need is fulfilled (i.e. the battery is fully charged), the emotion calms down again - until the next trigger activation.
Ex.: functional exam anxiety
If we feel an appropriate level of insecurity before an exam (trigger), we prepare ourselves accordingly (function). As we now know the material well, we go into the exam with a good feeling and feel confident and secure (need).
When a dysfunctional emotion is blocked, the emotion is too strong, causing the line to overheat and break (blackout). It is also possible that chronically stuck emotions from previous stressful experiences (so-called “biographical stress”) are blocking the inner system. This is not unusual for most people.
Dysfunctional emotion - category 1: blocked
As a result, the converted electricity never makes it to the battery and the underlying need is therefore not met.
Ex: dysfunctional exam anxiety
Feeling too much anxiety before an exam creates a learning block, which can then lead to a blackout. The emotion is too strong and then blocks the power line. The energy cannot flow anymore. As a result, our need battery is not charged and our need for security is, consequently, not met. It is also possible that emotions from previous stressful experiences (“biographical stress”), that have not been processed and are therefore stuck, block the energy from flowing.
When a dysfunctional emotion is overdriven, it is not the line that overheats, but the battery, as it is “overcharged”. This can occur with pleasant emotions, such as pride, but also with unpleasant emotions.
Dysfunctional emotion - category 2: overheated
In the case of unpleasant emotions, it is very common for us to use another emotion as a “coping strategy”. This happens, for example, with grief or fear. To avoid feeling this “weakness”, we switch to anger instead. Unfortunately, we tend to overdo it with our anger, because our system merely recognizes that our “grief-battery” doesn’t get charged. So, it keeps increasing the coping-mechanism anger. The currently unmet need behind grief (the “grief-battery”) never gets met, since we just can’t charge the “grief-battery” with “anger-current”. At the same time, we “fly off the handle”.
Ex: overdriven dysfunctional grief or anger
The “grief” wind generator overheats and initially blocks the line (see category 1). To compensate for this, our system ramps up the “anger” generator and unfortunately overdoes it because the need battery of grief that is actually affected simply cannot be recharged. When this happens, the emotion of anger acts like a dysfunctional emergency power generator.
We can restore the function of dysfunctional emotions through emotion coaching and release the emotional charge.