Emotional dysregulation testing assesses an individual’s ability to manage moods effectively. This psychological testing is usually done with children and adolescents, but adults can also benefit from it. An emotional dysregulation test battery leads to a report that outlines triggers, solutions, and coping strategies. It can be very helpful to ongoing therapy or even self-help methods. This assessment is often used in our practice as part of a full psychological evaluation.
The following is an overview of emotional dysregulation testing. After you read this, if you feel that this type of psychological assessment might be helpful for you or your child, please feel free to contact us at any time. We always provide an initial phone consultation at no cost.
Emotional Dysregulation Test Process
The emotional dysregulation test battery involves various methods tailored to your unique needs and questions. We design the evaluation around you, so the results are what you are looking for. There are some usual main components, however, including:
Emotional Dysregulation Testing Interviews and Observations
We will start with a structured interview to understand your or your child’s affective experiences, triggers, and 
coping mechanisms. We’ll review the history of responses and how they evolved. We may also do role-plays or observations of various situations to identify patterns and triggers. Role-plays are more common with adults, while observations are common with children.
These techniques aim to understand your ability to manage your impulses in real-world situations.
Self-Report Measures and Questionnaires
The second step is giving you a series of empirically established measures to gather more information about your or your child’s affective experiences and mood control strategies. These self-report measures provide valuable objective insights into affective states. These tests are specifically normed so that you can see how you manage compared to others who are similar to you, perhaps those who work in the same field, have the same diagnosis or are facing the same challenges. Some diagnoses require more substantial questionnaires, such as ED and PTSD assessments.
Psychological Emotional Dysregulation Testing
Standardized psychological measures, such as Personality evaluation or more specific tests related to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and other issues, may be administered to assess specific aspects of functioning. In some cases, these assessments are broad and capture a wide variety of mood-provoking situations. In other cases, they are specific to a certain type of situation. The latter are often add-ons after we decide on them after getting initial results. If you are looking for results for affective control and ADHD, for example, we’ll add specific ADHD tests.
Neurobiological Emotional Dysregulation Testing
In some cases, neurobiological measures like heart rate variability and measures of calm may be used to understand the underlying neural processes related to control. We may do these in conjunction with a specialist, or, when it is a simpler approach, we suggest you use an app on your smartphone or a smartwatch if you have one.
This is just a general outline of our process. In many cases, this testing is combined with other types of psychological testing. We will always design the emotional dysregulation test battery, which we will do with you with your input. We will review each potential measure, what it involves, and what it measures beforehand.
ED Diagnostic Evaluation Examples
There are several ways emotional dysregulation testing can be used diagnostically. Here are three of the more common ones:
Emotional Dysregulation and ADHD
Difficulties in controlling one’s emotions and reactions to stimuli are part of the connection between emotional dysregulation and ADHD. This can manifest as intense mood swings, impulsivity, difficulty coping with stress, and problems with self-soothing. Emotional dysregulation and ADHD are common and may include executive functioning deficits such as impulse control and working memory.
People with ADHD may experience events more intensely than those without the condition. This heightened reactivity can lead to difficulties in managing and regulating things effectively. Emotional dysregulation and ADHD symptoms can strain relationships with family members, friends, and colleagues. Impulsive or emotionally charged reactions may lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and difficulties in communication. Thus, emotional dysregulation and ADHD assessments can help people understand it better.
Emotional Dysregulation and PTSD
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as combat, natural disasters, physical or sexual assault, or other life-threatening situations. Emotional dysregulation and PTSD are often connected because PTSD refers to difficulties in managing and controlling emotions.
PTSD often involves symptoms of hyperarousal, such as exaggerated startle response, irritability, and hypervigilance. These symptoms can contribute to emotional dysregulation and PTSD being connected and leading to intense feelings of anger, frustration, or anxiety. People with PTSD may experience intrusive memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event, which can evoke intense emotional reactions. This can also intensify the emotional dysregulation and PTSD connection.
Addressing emotional dysregulation and PTSD typically involves therapy approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), specifically trauma-focused CBT, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Testing for emotional dysregulation and PTSD can help with treatment planning.
Emotional Dysregulation and Borderline Personality Disorder
ED is a hallmark feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD), a mental health condition characterized by pervasive patterns of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect, along with impulsivity. Emotional dysregulation and Borderline Personality Disorder are quite closely linked since borderline personality disorder refers to significant difficulties in managing and controlling moods, leading to intense and often unstable mood states. Here’s how emotional dysregulation intersects with BPD:
Evaluation for emotional dysregulation and Borderline Personality Disorder can help a person improve interpersonal relationships, reduce self-harming behaviors, and address mood swings and fear of abandonment. Effective treatment for this personality disorder involves emotional dysregulation and Borderline Personality Disorder testing can help with planning.
Emotional Dysregulation Test Results
The results of emotional dysregulation testing can help develop appropriate treatment and intervention plans. Treatment for adolescents and adults might involve various therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based interventions. Depending on the underlying causes and severity, a medication evaluation is sometimes recommended. For children, emotional dysregulation testing often points to different forms of expressive therapy and modeling, which many therapists do.
You will receive a full emotional dysregulation test report that describes your results on each test and what they mean, and then an analysis that combines all of that. Finally, a section provides suggestions, including any therapy that may help, tips to manage your symptoms, and ideas for other interventions.
Emotional Dysregulation Testing Benefits
Emotional dysregulation tests can be valuable tools in various contexts, such as clinical psychology, mental health assessment, and personal development. Here are some benefits you might see from this type of assessment:
Identification and Treatment
Emotional dysregulation tests help identify if you’ve been struggling with an upset affecting different areas of your life. They provide a scientific and structured way to assess the extent and nature of affective dysregulation, giving additional insight and detail. Your therapist can then review your emotional dysregulation testing results and develop treatment plans tailored to your challenges and strengths. These plans might include strategies to enhance mood and trigger awareness, coping skills, and control techniques. Repeat assessments can help track changes and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
Intervention After Emotional Dysregulation Testing
Identifying ED early on can lead to early intervention and support. This can potentially prevent the escalation of difficulties and the development of more complex mental health issues. Emotional dysregulation tests often consider various affective, cognitive, and behavioral factors. This holistic assessment helps professionals and individuals understand how moods are interconnected with other aspects of life. If you’ve been struggling, taking a formal test can provide validation and a sense that professionals recognize and understand your difficulties. This validation can be crucial to seeking help and engaging in treatment.
Personal Benefits of an Emotional Dysregulation Test
Emotional dysregulation tests can also be used for personal growth and self-awareness. You can use these assessments to gain insights into your affective tendencies, learn about your strengths and challenges, and develop strategies to improve control skills. Improved regulation can lead to better communication skills. When you become more aware of your moods and where they come from and can regulate them effectively, you will be more likely to express yourself clearly and manage conflicts healthily.
Understanding your affective patterns can empower you to take control of your affective experiences. By recognizing triggers and employing coping strategies, you can reduce the negative impact on your life.
Emotional Dysregulation Testing Conclusions
It’s important to note that while emotional dysregulation tests have many benefits, we often use them as part of a comprehensive assessment process. They are often used alongside clinical judgment and other assessment methods to ensure accurate understanding and effective planning. We’ll talk to you about the questions you hope to answer through this psychological testing and ensure that the measures we use answer those questions.
Emotional dysregulation testing provides measurable, specific conclusions and suggestions about operationalizing these conclusions to overcome challenges.
Our Work
Remember that mood dysregulation is treatable. While early intervention is ideal, we’ve seen improvement help many adults who have had this challenge for many years. An evaluation can give you a head start and provide insights that help you get the treatment you need and tips to try on your own in conjunction with that treatment.
Testing for emotional dysregulation is part of our services and sometimes part of a larger Personality evaluation that covers other areas. No matter what, your emotional dysregulation testing battery will be uniquely tailored to your questions and will be designed with your input. We’d happily discuss how emotional dysregulation testing can help you or your child.
