Inhibition of one emotion by another – psychopathological, neurobiological and therapeutic perspectives

BACKGROUND: The basic emotions are happiness, sadness, fear and anger. These emotions can be present in different intensities – from absent to maximum. A person can experience various mixtures of emotions simultaneously. For example, happiness + fear (in a roller coaster ride), sadness + anger (after a mishap) and so on. The intensities of emotions in a mixture can vary. But it is impossible for a person to experience maximum intensities of 2 emotions simultaneously. For example, maximum happiness + maximum sadness at the same time is not possible. The corollary is that, in a mixture of emotions, as the intensity of 1 emotion increases, the intensity of other emotion has to come down. How does this happen at the psychopathological, neurobiological and therapeutic level? METHODS: The phenomenological aspect of inhibition of one emotion by another is analysed. Mental disorders, whose psychopathologies involve such inhibitions, are examined. The neurobiological mechanisms of inhibition of 1 emotion by another are explored. There are many well-known inhibitory pathways in brain. They are examined from emotion inhibition point of view. Many therapies, especially psychotherapies, involve using this inhibition concept. They are described. RESULTS: Many mental disorders such as depression show inhibition of one emotion by another. Depression involves intense sadness, loss of happiness and loss of interest. Traumatic life experiences plunge a happy person into sadness. The intense sadness suppresses the happiness. Loss of anticipatory happiness results in loss of desire or interest to do normally enjoyable activities. There are many neurobiological studies that show how one emotion centre can inhibit other emotion centres of the brain. Septal reward (happiness) centres can inhibit fear. Central nucleus of amygdala can inhibit Rage (anger) centre in hypothalamus and Periaqueductal grey matter. Stimulation of medial Prefrontal Cortex can inhibit attack behaviour elicited from hypothalamus. Many psychotherapeutic techniques use this principle of inhibition of one emotion centre by another. Relaxation Training, recalling happy memories, Positive Psychology techniques such as savouring pleasant experiences act by activating happiness. That inhibits the emotion of sadness in patients with depression. CONCLUSION: In a mixture of emotions, both emotions cannot be present with maximum intensity. As the intensity of 1 emotion increases, it inhibits other emotions. This can be seen in many mental disorders. Neurobiologically, this is seen as the inhibitory actions of different emotion centres on one another. This principle can be used therapeutically to help patients suffering intense unpleasant emotions.