05/27/2025
Ever feel like your child goes from zero to meltdown in seconds?
It’s not sudden – it’s a cycle. And once we understand it, we can support them far more effectively.
This visual breaks down the Emotional Overwhelm Cycle – a common pattern many children go through when they experience big feelings like anger, frustration or anxiety.
Let’s take a closer look:
Trigger – Something small or significant sets things in motion. It may be a build up of triggers which are masked (for instance, a child who masks during the school day)
Big Emotion – Feelings like anger or panic rise.
Dysregulation – The child becomes overwhelmed (meltdown, outburst, shutdown).
Misunderstood Response – Often, adults react with punishment or dismissal.
Shame or Fear – The child now feels worse, not safer.
Suppression or Escalation – Emotions are pushed down… or build up again, restarting the cycle.
But here’s the good news:
With understanding and calm connection, we can break the cycle and guide our children toward regulation – not repression.
Save this for next time your child is struggling. Compassion always leads to connection.
