Caregiver Emotional Volatility or Dysregulation

A developmental environment where a primary caregiver’s emotional state was unpredictable, intense, or poorly regulated. Emotional availability, safety, or connection may have shifted quickly based on the caregiver’s mood, stress level, or reactions, requiring the child to stay highly attuned and adaptive. Over time, this can shape patterns of hypervigilance, emotional suppression or escalation, difficulty trusting stability in relationships, and a tendency to manage others’ emotions as a way to feel safe.