Ten Characteristics That Identify Addiction To Negative Emotions
- Feb 7, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: May 9, 2024
Written by: Rut E Echevarria, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As a trauma survivor, facing addiction to negative emotions was a battle that transcended mere survival. That trauma makes it more difficult to heal and break the cycle of repetition patterns that emotional wounds have.
Coming from dysfunctional families leaves adverse effects and consequences that will reverberate throughout our lives, such as addiction to stress hormones and a deregulated nervous system. Various theories, such as Polyvagal, attachment theory, and brain neuroplasticity theory, mention the changes that occur in the body when we habituate it to hostile environments. Knowing this was liberating for me, and I understood it led to understanding a lot of my behaviors and why I struggled to feel good.
When we grow up in hostile or dysfunctional environments, our nervous system begins to deregulate. The nervous system is responsible for protecting us and our survival. The more dangerous or unsafe a child growing up in stressful environments is perceived to be, the more negative emotions they experience. For survival purposes, the stronger the impact of the emotion or fear, the more the body remembers it.
Theories on how the body adapts
Some theories that show how the body adapts to the familiar are:
The polyvagal theory
Attachment Theory
Neuroplasticity
Polyvagal theory
The polyvagal theory shows us how the body is habitual and seeks the familiar even in emotional states. Each emotion impacts the chemical composition of the body, especially the negative ones where the release of stress hormones becomes necessary to stay familiar.
Attachment theory
Likewise, attachment theory in relationships reminds us how we look for attachment styles in adulthood based on experiences with our parents or caregivers that recreate that form of attachment we experience during our early years.
Neuroplasticity
Chaotic environments lead us to a constant perception of danger, fear, and insecurity, where the nervous system becomes hypervigilant, activating the sympathetic nervous system and the survival response. The longer we stay in it, the more the body becomes accustomed to it and makes it familiar. We seek to create similar experiences that keep us in the cycle of eternal suffering.
Childhood experiences causig addiction to negative emotions
As we grow up, we are unaware of this because we made it familiar and a routine in our lives. I have not met anyone who says, "I am addicted to negative emotions." Personally, when I became aware of my addiction to stress and negative emotions, I understood many things. I grew up in an environment where I never perceived security, and it was very toxic, I had an alcoholic father and an emotionally absent mother. Yelling, fighting, instability, constant changes and emotional abuse led me to develop a freeze and fawning response in my nervous system.
My adverse experiences in childhood led me to think negatively all my life and, therefore, feeling negatively for most of my life until I became aware of it. My body did not know how to feel good by being well; it sought constant stress and worries that recreated familiar emotions for my body repeatedly.
Now, as a therapist and trauma coach, I see precisely the same problem reflected in my clients. People who have become so anchored in feeling and thinking in negative ways that they cannot. Create space to feel good. Their body tends to repel them, leading them to create familiar experiences.
Moving away from stress and cortisol addiction took me a little over a year and a half of constant internal work and help.
People with addiction to negative emotions may exhibit a variety of characteristics that reflect their relationship with emotional distress.
Ten common traits when addicted to negative emotions
Here are ten common traits that can be seen in individuals with this tendency towards addiction to negative emotions:
1. Constant search for drama
The tendency to seek conflictive or emotionally intense situations leads the person to create.
Negative emotions, hypervigilance, and the feeling of constant danger where they feed the need for more negativity.
2. Self-sabotage
Patterns of behavior that lead to adverse outcomes keep them in the familiar.
3. Looking for conflictive, dysfunctional and toxic relationships
People with addictive negative emotions often get involved in problematic relationships where they manifest the hormonal reaction they need to remain in those states. That is known as a Trauma Bond
4. Identification with suffering
Development of an identity based on suffering and victimization. The person identifies deeply with their symptoms and does not perceive outside possibilities.
5. Difficulty experiencing positive emotions and experiences
Resistance or inability to enjoy positive emotions. Joy or happiness may feel strange or uncomfortable.
6. Need to consume negativity
There is a solid need to validate chaos and danger through excessive news consumption and information about danger and negative things.
7. Avoidance of intimacy
Fear of deep emotional connection. They may avoid intimate relationships to prevent potential sources of emotional pain.
8. The tendency towards perfectionism
Extreme self-demand and fear of failure. Imperfection can trigger strong negative emotional responses.
9. They remain in or seek stressful, toxic work environments where they are treated poorly
For the person addicted to negativity, it is easy to remain in complex, stressful work. Environments where they generate stress and tension because it is normal.
10. Resistance to therapy or change
They avoid or actively resist therapeutic interventions. May perceive positive change as threatening or unknown.
Break your addiction
Do you recognize these characteristics? Did you experience a difficult childhood and not know?
how do move on?
I invite you to take the first step towards healing and success. Contact professionals who can guide you in reshaping your mindset, navigating emotions, and establishing a foundation for success. Your journey in overcoming entrepreneurial challenges begins with acknowledging the need for support and taking intentional steps toward growth and healing. Don't let past traumas hold you back — embrace the opportunity for transformation and success!
Rut E Echevarria, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Rut Elisa is a trailblazer in holistic health, specializing as a Trauma Coach and leader in comprehensive healing. Fueled by her personal struggle with trauma and a lack of accessible tools, she founded Metamorphosis Life School, providing individuals with empowering tools for emotional healing. With a dedicated focus on the global Latino community, Rut is now expanding her impact to the English-speaking community. Her mission is clear: guide trauma survivors from pain to emotional mastery. Rut's approach goes beyond survival, empowering individuals to take control of their lives and become masters of their emotional well-being. With a diverse clientele worldwide, Rut Elisa is making a significant impact on how individuals navigate and overcome trauma, fostering a global community of strength, growth, and empowerment.
