The Function of Emotions

Emotions are powerful forces that play a crucial role in our lives, influencing how we think, act, and relate to others. According to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), emotions serve three main functions: they help us communicate our needs to ourselves, communicate with others, and motivate us to take action.

1. Communicating Needs to Ourselves

Emotions act as internal signals, alerting us to important information about our needs and values. For example, when you feel anger, it might be a sign that a boundary has been crossed or that something important to you is being threatened. Sadness, on the other hand, may indicate a sense of loss or unmet needs for connection. By tuning into these emotions, we can better understand what’s going on inside us and what we need to address to take care of ourselves.

2. Communicating to Others

Emotions also serve as a way to communicate with others. They provide cues to those around us about how we’re feeling and what we might need from them. For example, expressing sadness might signal to others that you need support or comfort, while anger might indicate that you need someone to respect your boundaries. Understanding and expressing emotions effectively can improve communication and strengthen relationships.

3. Motivating Action

One of the most significant functions of emotions is their ability to motivate us to take action. Emotions like fear can prompt us to protect ourselves, while anger can drive us to stand up for our rights or the rights of others. If we tune in to what an emotion is communicating, we can take action to get our needs met.

Some examples:

• Anger: Anger often signals that something important to us is being threatened or that our boundaries are being crossed. It can motivate us to protect ourselves and assert our needs.

• Guilt: Guilt arises when we believe we’ve violated our moral code or hurt someone else. It encourages us to take responsibility for our actions and make amends.

• Sadness: Sadness communicates a sense of loss or unmet needs. It can slow us down, allowing us to process our emotions and seek support from others.

If you are feeling a particularly strong emotion, ask your self: “What is this emotion trying to communicate?” or “Is there some action/ need that if met, would help with this emotion?”

Understanding the function of emotions through the lens of DBT helps us recognize that emotions are not just random feelings but essential tools for navigating life. By paying attention to what our emotions are trying to tell us, we can better meet our needs, communicate effectively, and take meaningful action in our lives.