The Emotional Reactivity Syndrome
SYNDROME
The Emotional Reactivity Syndrome is a recurring pattern where every day triggers override our ability to respond calmly. Flooded with strong emotions that feel hard to manage, it sometimes looks like an explosion—yelling, snapping, or lashing out. Other times it shows up as an implosion—shutting down, criticizing ourselves, or carrying silent resentment. In either scenario, fallout brings guilt, disconnection, self-loathing, and regret, only to set the stage for the next trigger. This ongoing loop is what called the Reactivity Syndrome Cycle.
Cycle of Emotional Reactivity
CYCLE
1. Trigger
A situation, word, look, or stressor sparks something inside. Often it’s small — a tone of voice, being cut off in traffic, a partner’s comment — but it hits a tender spot.
2. Emotionally Overpowered
The nervous system takes over. Emotions like anger, frustration, shame, or fear flood in. Logic fades and survival mode kicks in. You feel like you’ve lost control.
3. Explosion or Implosion
• Explosion: yelling, snapping, blaming, lashing out.
• Implosion: shutting down, self-criticism, guilt,
silent resentment. (Different on the outside, but both are the
same reaction turned inward or outward.)
4. Fallout
This exhausting cycle damages relationships. Peace and calmness is lost. Regret, guilt, self-punishment, self-loathing is ignited. Relationships feel strained, anger becomes a wedge, and self-trust is shaken. Self-esteem suffers from behaving in ways we don’t agree with. Loved ones become frightened, and experience emotional abandonment from resentment and punishment cycles. Trust erodes.
5. Repeat
Without new tools, the cycle starts again. The next trigger reignites the loop, keeping you stuck in reactivity instead of moving toward emotional balance.