THE PROS AND CONS OF DIFFERENT FEELINGS [ MENTAL HEALTH ] ARTICLE 2

Article 1

Our feelings can sometimes help us to achieve our life goals , but at other times they might block us from doing so. Here, we will help you to identify the feelings you are experiencing , and the different ways in which they can be helpful and problematic. It is often tempting to think about moods as extremes-low moods versus highs , and slowed-down feelings versus sped-up and activated feelings . Similarly there are ‘negative feelings’ such as fear, sadness , anger , shame and guilt, which can separate from ‘positive feelings’ such as happiness, joy, excitement and comfort.

However, even though negative feelings can be unpleasant , they usually have a purpose.

Fear help us to be prepared for a threat , and anger alerts us to situations of injustice around us .

But if we are too frightened , then we are unable to face our fears at all.

Article 2

If we are too angry , then we can go off the rails without being able to tackle the injustice itself. So these emotions have pros and cons to them. It is the same with positive emotions. Feeling happy and excited can make us energized and optimistic about achieving our goals, but if you are too excited then you may not be able to concentrate well enough to get anything done.

We might also have positive and negative ideas about our emotions.

For example, we might think that it is ‘bad ‘ to feel angry or ‘weak’ to feel sad. We might think that we ‘ought’ to feel happy. If you have trouble with mood swings then these ideas can be particularly strong.

If you feel happy , for instance , you might think ‘Oh no’ I am going high again- it’s be disastrous .’ If you feel sad you might start to panic and think’ Oh no’ the depression is starting again – I won’t be able to stand it. These ideas about your emotions can make it much harder to cope with them.

I will complete in article 3 soon.