Recognising Emotional Dysregulation in Others: How Training Supports Safe and Effective Care

In professional and care environments, from healthcare and education to transport and customer-facing roles, staff frequently encounter people experiencing intense emotions. While strong feelings are natural, some individuals struggle to regulate them, leading to reactions that may appear sudden, overwhelming or disproportionate.

This is known as Emotional Dysregulation and recognising it in others helps to prevent escalation, ensuring safety and providing effective support. SecuriCare training equips teams with the skills to identify these behaviours and respond confidently, improving outcomes for both individuals and the professionals who support them.

Recognising Emotional Dysregulation

Key signs:

• Sudden, intense emotional reactions

• Rapid or unpredictable mood changes

• Impulsive actions without considering consequences

• Difficulty communicating feelings clearly

• Withdrawal or avoidance in stressful situations

Emotional dysregulation can present in different ways, depending on an individual’s age and the context of an upset. In adults, it might appear as a sudden outburst of anger over a minor workplace mistake, repeated anxious questioning or withdrawing from meetings or social situations to escape overwhelming feelings. In children, it may show as anger, crying or defiance.

For example, a passenger at an airport who becomes increasingly frustrated over a delay may display agitation, raised voice or confrontational body language. Staff trained to recognise these early signs can respond calmly, using de-escalation strategies to prevent the situation from escalating. Similarly, an individual who receives a social care service might repeatedly voice dissatisfaction or act impulsively during routines. Recognising emotional dysregulation allows staff to intervene appropriately, maintaining safety and dignity.

Why Early Recognition Matters

Benefits of spotting emotional dysregulation early:

• Prevents escalation and maintains a safe environment

• Reduces stress for both staff and the individual

• Supports positive interaction and engagement

Early recognition allows professionals to act proactively, whether it’s diffusing a tense situation with a colleague, guiding a distressed person who receives a social care service or supporting a child struggling with overwhelming emotions. When signs are overlooked or misinterpreted, tensions can rise, creating stress and potential risk for everyone involved. By noticing early cues, staff can provide reassurance, structure and calm interventions.

Supporting Staff Through Training

Training equips teams to:

• Identify early behavioural and emotional cues in both children and adults

• Communicate calmly and empathetically

• Use structured strategies to guide emotional regulation

• Maintain safety while promoting dignity

SecuriCare’s specialist training empowers professionals to respond effectively across contexts. In a care home, a resident becoming agitated during a change in routine may benefit from redirection and reassurance. In an office setting, recognising a colleague’s signs of emotional dysregulation, irritability, tension or withdrawal, allows managers to provide support before conflicts arise.

Training also focuses on maintaining professional boundaries, ensuring staff feel confident managing concerning behaviour while remaining compassionate. By combining observation, practical intervention strategies and scenario-based learning, teams build both competence and confidence.

Real-World Impact

Trained teams experience:

• Fewer incidents of conflict or aggression

• Stronger, more positive relationships with those in care or at work

• Greater staff confidence and professional competence

• Safer, calmer environments overall

For instance, in a customer-facing role, recognising an adult’s emotional dysregulation early - such as agitation, repeated questioning, or frustration - allows staff to respond calmly and prevent escalation. In schools, healthcare, or social care settings, these skills support both children and adults, enabling staff to provide effective interventions while preserving dignity and safety.

Final Thoughts

Recognising emotional dysregulation in others is an essential skill for professionals across care, education, healthcare and customer-facing roles. SecuriCare’s training ensures teams are equipped to observe, understand and respond to these behaviours in both adults and children.

With awareness, practical strategies and ongoing support, staff can maintain safety, build trust and create environments where both staff and those in their care can thrive.