how do emotions function?

Question

i familiar with how they 'feel' when ther occur but ive no idea about the mechanics of the emotion. are they under our direct control?
i dont believe my emotions are in control of me but it seems im not in control of them either. maybe anger or compassion are habits...help!

Thanks

Answer 1

Emotions are a dynamic of the chemical reactions in our brains based on stimuli. Some are able to be kept under control, some are not. For example, anger management, some claim they are unable to control anger filled rages. Those who are wise enough to know when they are in need of help will seek it, through counselling and/or medications. While we may not always be able to control our emotions, we CAN and SHOULD control our behaviour and reactions to stimuli.

Answer 2

The limbic system in the brain has something to do with emotions, either where they come from or where they are controlled from. Injury to this part of the brain such as when a person has a stoke can result in loss of control of emotions leaving the person in a state of strange fluctuation. I had an illness that screwed around with body and brain chemistry and seemed to cause my emotions to have a life of their own. I would feel happy, sad, moody, detached, exited, bored etc, despite whatever I was thinking or doing at the time. I was a student nurse at the time so it was quite important not to show incorrect emotional responses to things that you came across, quite difficult to go around and just ignore part of yourself.

Answer 3

The best way to see emotions at work is to watch the movie What the Bleep do we know?

That movie shows emotions graphically at work as they surge through our bodies.

It takes conscious effort for us to be in control of our emotions and whilst it is possible it may not be easy.

As you say, our emotional response can be habit and we are hijacked before we even begin to think at a consious level. Like anything, it takes practice to achieve.

It can be done though. ABSOLUTELY it can.

Be compassionate with your self as you learn the process.

Another book to look for to learn about this is
Emotional Intelligence (not sure of the author)
and the
Molecules of Emotion By Candice Pert

good luck

Answer 4

this is a question that many psychologists are still debating today. how much autonomy do we have? biological psychologists will put it down to chemical changes which limits the amount of control we have directly over our emotions whereas psychoanalasists look at past experiences during infancy to explain why we feel the way we do about things. this gives some scope for agency(these are just two of the many theories), maby some of our emotions stem from how we feel we should react or even how we think other people expect us to act. bit confusing i know, i guess thats why its still being debated today!

Answer 5

It's a built up behavior from childhood. We knew back then it was food or water or something we had to have and allot of people never grow out of it.
Emotions can sincerely drive you out of your mind. Please control them for you are in control of what you say and how you act.
We are no longer children who don't know better. When you do learn how to handle your emotions you will be much better off.
Never throw a tantrum.

Answer 6

Ok.
Imagine that there is a little man sitting inside your brain.
When you react to a situation which sparks off an emotion, this is what happens.
The little man reads the situation and says this is one for the tear ducts.
So he sends a message to the nerve centre connected to the ducts and you find yourself crying.
If the situation sparks off a reaction which needs you to respond in a very firm and assertive way, the little man sends the message to the central nervous centre and you react in the appropriate way.
Hope this makes sense to you.