How is "emotional flooding" defined in the context of Gottman's work?

In the context of Gottman's work, "emotional flooding" is defined as the overwhelming feeling of emotional distress that individuals experience during conflicts or heated discussions in a relationship. This concept highlights how being emotionally overwhelmed can impede effective communication and problem solving between partners. When one partner feels flooded, they often experience heightened emotional responses, which can trigger fight-or-flight reactions and make it difficult to engage constructively.

This understanding is crucial in therapy as it emphasizes the need for partners to recognize these moments of emotional flooding and to implement strategies to self-soothe and regulate emotions. Doing so allows couples to re-engage in discussions more calmly and rationally, ultimately fostering healthier patterns of interaction. Understanding emotional flooding is essential for addressing negative interaction cycles that can undermine relationships.