Emotional hijacking: when the amygdala takes control

A term coined by Daniel Goleman: emotional outburst

Daniel Goleman coined the term ''emotional hijacking'' or ''amygdala hijacking'' to describe those moments when we are overwhelmed by emotion.

We lose control and act irrationally. These are situations that we later say about ''I've lost it.''

The role of the amygdala as an emotional processor and threat detector

This phenomenon has a neurological basis. In our brain, a small structure called the amygdala is our threat detector.

It is constantly scanning the environment for dangers and is a key processor of emotional information.

The inverse relationship: the greater the activation of the amygdala, the less activity in the prefrontal cortex

When the amygdala detects a threat (real or perceived), it becomes intensely activated. And here's where something crucial happens: its activity is inversely related to that of the prefrontal cortex.

The prefrontal cortex is the rational part of our brain, responsible for impulse control.

The consequences: acting irrationally and regretting it later

When the amygdala fires, the activity of the prefrontal cortex decreases. It's as if the rational part of the brain temporarily "shuts down."

The emotional, primitive part takes over. That's why, in an emotional hijacking, we act without thinking.

Our responses are automatic, instinctive, and often disproportionate.

Summary

Daniel Goleman introduced the concept of ''emotional hijacking'' to describe those moments when emotions take control, leading us to act impulsively and irrationally.

This happens because the amygdala, which detects threats and processes emotions, becomes intensely activated, which reduces the activity of the prefrontal cortex, the rational area in charge of self-control.

The result is that we react without thinking, automatically and instinctively, which often ends in regret, when we act disproportionately in a situation.