Description
Have you ever tried a coping skill you learned in therapy, only to find that it doesn't help when you're overwhelmed?
When emotions get intense, your brain shifts into defense mode. The skills you practiced when you were calm become harder to access, even when you know exactly what you're supposed to do.
That doesn't necessarily mean the coping skill isn't working. It means there's a gap between learning a skill and being able to use it when your emotions take over.
Dr. Daniel Fox explains why this happens, how emotional activation affects your thinking, and why struggling to use coping skills doesn't mean you've failed.
🎯 Free relationship worksheet for my email subscribers — Recognize the patterns behind your relationship chaos
👉 Sign up here: https://drdfox.com/worksheets
Go deeper at www.drdfox.com — worksheets, courses, and more
🎓 ONLINE COURSE
Learn evidence-based skills for understanding and managing borderline personality disorder:
https://www.bpdcourse.com
📚 BOOKS & CLINICAL TOOLS BY DR. DANIEL FOX
• The Relationships Workbook for BPD – Skills to cultivate emotional safety and stronger connections
https://www.amazon.com/Relationships-Workbook-BPD-Understanding-Connections/dp/1648486053
• BPD Guided Journal – A structured space to process intense emotions and build self-compassion
https://shorturl.at/Ta5Dj
• The BPD Card Deck – 50 practical strategies for emotional regulation
https://shorturl.at/jBHJV
• Complex Borderline Personality Disorder – Understanding co-occurring conditions
https://rb.gy/hdyqyy
• Antisocial, Narcissistic, and Borderline Personality Disorders – A modern clinical framework
https://tinyurl.com/2anv8dww
• The Borderline Personality Disorder Workbook – An integrative skills-based program
https://goo.gl/LQEgy1
• Antisocial, Borderline, Narcissistic & Histrionic Workbook
(IPBA Benjamin Franklin Gold Award Winner)
https://goo.gl/BLRkFy
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder Toolbox
(IPBA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award Winner)
https://goo.gl/sZYhym
👤 ABOUT DR. DANIEL J. FOX
Daniel J. Fox, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in Texas, international speaker, and multi-award-winning author. He has over 20 years of experience specializing in the assessment and treatment of personality disorders across state and federal prison systems, universities, and private practice. His clinical focus includes personality disorders, ethics, burnout prevention, emotional intelligence, and relationship functioning.
🌐 CONNECT WITH DR. FOX
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@DrDanielFox
Website: http://www.drdfox.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drdfox1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdfox
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/appliedpsychservices/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdfox/
Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/drfox
0:00 When coping skills don't meet your expectations
0:23 Why skills are harder to use when overwhelmed
0:40 How emotional flooding affects your thinking
0:49 The difference between reflection and defense mode
1:09 Why this is a normal stress response
1:28 Bridging the gap between calm and overwhelmed