Understanding emotions as a system
Understand the emotion model, checking the facts and opposite action in context.
- 3
- Concepts
- 3
- Modules
- 4
- Situations
Guiding idea
Start here if you first need to understand what the emotion is currently doing before you intervene.
Decision aid
These three nodes place emotions as a sequence and as a decision point: the DBT emotions model shows how an emotional episode is built up, Check the Facts separates observation from interpretation, Opposite Action starts where the emotional action urge does not fit the facts or the goal. Together they help you not only to name the feeling but to find the right point to intervene.
One possible starting point
Check the Facts
Better to start here when it is unclear whether the feeling, assumptions and intensity really fit the observable facts.
Also in: Mindfulness
Other options
Opposite Action
Better to start here when the emotional urge pulls you in a direction that does not fit the facts or your current goal.
Also in: Distress Tolerance
The DBT emotion model
Better to start here when the emotion needs to be understood as a sequence of trigger, appraisal, bodily reaction, urge and action.
Also in: Mindfulness · Distress Tolerance