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How do I handle my emotions when I'm in a situation that's not allowing me to use my usual coping tools?

13 Answers
Last Updated: 02/21/2022 at 3:37am
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Paola Giordani, Psychoanalyst

Licensed Psychoanalyst

I have helped and am helping people cope with loss, divorce, anguish and parenting. Depression is also a major issue that comes up.

Top Rated Answers
Profile: DreamIndexed
DreamIndexed
May 5th, 2015 4:14am
Being open and honest with the people in your life about your mental illnesses makes situations like this less of a problem. It's also a good way to lose a job if the people you work with don't understand or use it to manipulate you. Be aware of how your coping tools work and practice them. Try to see if you can shorten the time it takes to use or even the physical ritual some of them require. When i first started counting down from ten to control my anger schoolyard bullies made this impossible. I couldn't count fast enough and the insults/injuries came too quickly. Practicing lifting my hands while taking one breath and then pushing down while exhaling, like bruce lee, eventually was a huge help. but it took a lot of practice to make it just as effective. Now i can just close my eyes while i imagine raising my hands and lowing them as i take a single breath and the rage monkey is back in his cage.
Profile: Springy
Springy
June 28th, 2016 5:24pm
Try developing new coping tools.focus on the good things.your hopes,dreams,and goals.thinking positive should calm you down.
Anonymous
September 20th, 2016 4:46pm
Maybe you can find a place in your mind that you reserve for this kind of situation and where you can concentrate very well, so that you might see a way out.
Profile: Paige81
Paige81
May 23rd, 2017 4:32am
Coping skills can be expanded and what works best may change over time and in different situations. If I find myself in a situation that's not allowing me to use my usual coping tools I look at that situation and see if I need to add new coping tools to my arsenal. I also look at the situation to determine if it is a something that I need to not be in for the future.
Profile: PashT007
PashT007
April 1st, 2015 4:07am
Sometimes we have to become strategic when we are moving through places that aren't our usual comfort zone. Im sure you have it all together. It may seem unreachable now, but you got it!
Profile: originalLion57
originalLion57
June 4th, 2015 5:17pm
Take a step back, tell someone you need to go some place where you can be alone for a bit - or you don't even need to tell anyone, you just listen to your body and do what's best for you. Then if somebody sees it and asks, you can explain it (if you want) later.
Profile: Samalyn
Samalyn
August 10th, 2015 3:10am
Make sure to take a deep breath and allow yourself to be excused from the room in order to give yourself some space and breathing room.
Anonymous
March 29th, 2016 4:53am
You can write it in your diary or book or notebook or journal of the things your going through and try to calm yourself and tell yourself everything will be under control.
Anonymous
October 24th, 2016 4:49pm
I sit down and rationalize my thoughts, I then in realistic terms come to a conclusion to the best logical answer
Profile: heartfulmango33
heartfulmango33
November 8th, 2016 1:38am
Walk away with permission process the information think about alternatives and outcomes and step back in.
Profile: Innerpeace2u
Innerpeace2u
May 15th, 2018 8:32am
Emotion is based on cognitive perception and beliefs. usually i listen to music or eat delicious food to express my feeling but if the situation is not allow, I try to change my beliefs and pray to my religion.
Profile: JussiPasanen
JussiPasanen
June 18th, 2018 8:20pm
I will close my eyes, sitting, standing or lying and wait for the storm to pass. Thats when the situation is so dire that I dont even care that much about anything else.
Profile: Min09
Min09
February 21st, 2022 3:37am
You can try to develop new coping skills. Sometimes when you can't use what you are comfortable with it is best to develop new ones! You should also focus on things that make you happy such as dreams and your future. Developing new coping skills can also be helpful and beneficial than using the same coping tools that you have used. Even if it may be uncomfortable at first, you will quickly adapt to it and it will soon be comfortable to use.