EMOTIONAL HIJACKING - Ms.KIRUBASHINI R / I M.Sc Psychology / PG Department of Psychology / MKJC(A).

 EMOTIONAL HIJACKING

Whenever you’re angry, you might not know what you’re doing, like using aggressive words or being physically aggressive towards someone. This happens because when people are in this state, their brain’s emotional centre, the amygdala, takes over, and they can’t think clearly. This can lead to aggressive behaviour, using hurtful words or physical aggression, and they might not even remember what happened. This is called emotional hijacking, also known as a rage state or amygdala hijack.

What is happening in the brain:

  During emotional hijacking, the amygdala sends a distress signal to the brain’s stress response system, triggering the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which prepare the body for fight or flight.

How to tackle it:

- Take a time out: when you feel yourself getting angry or frustrated, take a step back and give yourself some space by going for a walk

- Deep breathing: breathe slowly and deeply to calm your nervous system and avoid triggers

- Self talk: use positive self-talk to calm yourself down and regain control

- Physical release: engage in physical activities or meditation to release tension and calm down

Helping someone else:

- If someone is experiencing emotional hijacking, stay calm and safe, don’t try to reason with them or argue, instead:

- Give them space: let them have some space to calm down

- Stay calm: remain calm and composed to help de-escalate the situation

- Offer support: once they’re calm, offer support and listen to what they have to say.

Final thought:

   Sometimes it’s necessary to express your anger, rather than suppressing your feelings. However, we often regret our reactions in the heat of the moment. To avoid this, being aware of emotional hijacking can be helpful.

A Blog by

Ms. KIRUBASHINI R

I M.Sc Psychology

PG Department of Psychology

Marudhar Kesari Jain College for Women (Autonomous)

Vaniyambadi