Confrontation or other tense situations are difficult for most people to manage, but some people have a harder time than others regulating emotions and the adjacent emotional responses. If you or a family member reacts in ways that are uncomfortable and are not developmentally appropriate, our clinicians at Saber Psychiatry have the time and skills to help you.
Reach us at 615-678-7839.
Our clinicians work with people from ages 2 through 65, and we offer individual, couples, and family therapy. We provide the support and tools you need to navigate the emotional turns, valleys, and hills of life, and achieve emotional health.
The expression “lost it” as in “He was late again, and I just lost it,” or “We didn’t have the right kind of socks, and he just lost it,” refers to maintaining a reasonable or calm response. The “it” is emotional regulation.
Most people have lost it on occasion. A friend described “losing it” after her car broke down on a long-distance trip. She pulled over to the side of the road, got out of the car, and (as she described), “gave it a savage kick.” It didn’t accomplish much, but she didn’t hurt anyone (she was wearing boots, fortunately).
When “losing it” is a regular occurrence, however, life becomes more difficult for the person and those around her/him.
Part of the challenge for toddlers is learning to regulate their emotions, or at least how they share their emotional responses. We all need to learn – and sometimes relearn – that disappointments are a normal part of life, but that screaming, crying, and becoming violent are unacceptable responses to unpleasant events.
Saber Psychiatry works with children, adolescents, and adults on the following:
Identifying triggers – what upsets you? Can you avoid it? Can you prepare for disappointment or a trigger?
Reframing – learn how to stop focusing on the negative.
Changing your behaviors – One client became frustrated with friends who were consistently late to dinner parties at their home. He and his wife decided that they would serve dinner around the specified time, and they would welcome their friends when they arrived. An unexpected bonus was that their friends started arriving closer to the expected time, but what made our client’s life easier was not waiting.
Mindfulness – we teach people to observe their own thoughts and feeling without feeling guilty or embarrassed. Being aware of their feelings helps them manage these feelings.
Relaxation techniques – no one want to be told to calm down when she or he is upset, but deep breathing and muscle relaxation are helpful, and we recommend them as self-motivated techniques.
Seeking social support – If you can talk to family members or friends without losing your temper, you can benefit from the support as well as a different perspective.
We also work with you to develop the skills needed for healthy emotional regulation and to address any co-occurring problems such as depression or anxiety.
Saber Psychiatry provides comprehensive psychiatric care for the entire family. We specialize in emotional/behavioral regulation, sleep, attention, anxiety, and mood. We keep appointment spaces open for new clients, so don’t hesitate to call us at 615-678-7839.
Board Certified
Highly trained
Children, adolescents, and adults
Conservative approach to medication
Parent training
Individuals, couples, and families
In-person and telehealth visits
Medical evaluations
Holistic.