Emotional dysregulation is a term used in the mental health community when an individual does not respond to a person, place, thing, or event in a manner that would generally be considered within the normal range of emotions. An example of this might be rage over a broken nail, or hysterics over a missed appointment.

This term is used most often with reference to Borderline Personality Disorder and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

There is an effort within some sectors of the mental health community to rename Borderline Personality Disorder as Emotional Dysregulation Disorder or Emotional Dysregulatory Disorder.

References

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Clarkin J., Hull J., Hurt S., (1993). Factor structure of borderline personality disorder. Journal of Personality Disorders.

Donegan, N., Sanislow, C., Blumberg, H., Fulbright, R., Lacadie, C., Skudlarski, P., Gore, J., Olson, I., McGlashan, T., Wexler, B. (2003). Amygdala Hyperreactivity in Borderline Personality Disorder: Implications for Emotional Dysregulation. Journal of Biological Psychiatry.

Gunderson J., Zanarini, M. (1989). Pathogenesis in borderline personality. In: Tasman A., Hales R., Frances A., (Ed.). Review of Psychiatry, Vol. 8.

Linehan, M. (1995). Understanding borderline personality disorder. New York. Guilford Press.

Mood disorders | Emotion | Psychiatry