According to neuropsychologist: These 3 emotions overwhelm our brain

We often underestimate how much our emotions determine our lives—how much they influence our daily decisions and actions. According to neuropsychologist Dr. Theo Tsaousides, they act like a kind of inner compass that guides us to the things that matter to us and warns us when something is wrong.

On "Psychology Today," he writes: "Throughout the day, we experience a multitude of emotions. Most of them pass us by without much impact." But according to the expert, three specific emotions have the power to completely hijack our brains—they can override our reflection, bypass reason, and drive us to impulsive actions we often later regret.

"Emotions are messengers, not enemies"

"When these emotions take over, we lose our emotional composure," Dr. Tsaousides continues. "We act as if on autopilot. The thinking part of our brain shuts down, and the emotional part takes over." And the longer these feelings go unaddressed, the stronger they become—and the more they distract us from what's important to us in the moment.

The neuropsychologist emphasizes that there are no "bad" feelings. "Emotions are messengers, not enemies." They provide us with information and usually serve a purpose.

These 3 feelings can overwhelm us

The three emotions that can overwhelm our brains have a lot in common. According to the brain researcher, they share the following characteristics:

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• They narrow our focus to the object or event that triggered them.
• They create intense inner pressure that needs to be released.
• They distract us from more important priorities – without us even noticing.

These are the feelings:

1. Fear

When we're afraid, our brain goes into survival mode: "When we encounter something even slightly frightening, our brain registers it as a threat," explains Dr. Tsaousides. "And as soon as a threat is detected—be it a growling dog or a disapproving look—our fight-or-flight response kicks in."

When fear takes control, the neuropsychologist explains, our attention narrows, our body systems prepare for defense, and long-term thinking is shut down. "This reaction has a clear evolutionary benefit—but in modern life, it often works against us. Out of fear, we avoid necessary conversations, miss opportunities, or close ourselves off precisely when we should remain open."

2. Anger

While fear sets in when we feel threatened, anger overwhelms us when we feel hurt. "Hurt here goes beyond insulting remarks," explains the expert. "It also encompasses the feeling of being treated unfairly, misunderstood, disrespected, rejected, or even directly attacked." When anger takes control, our attention is focused entirely on the insult and the person responsible. "Our instinct is to defend ourselves—often by going on the attack."

And what we lack in that moment is rational, reflective thinking. "The part of our brain that might say, 'Don't post that comment,' is then offline." This feeling of anger can feel like we're being swept away by a wave.

3. Desire

"Lust is a universal human emotion—but one we rarely talk about openly," says Theo Tsaousides. "Even in therapy, it's often avoided. It's something very personal." But just like fear or anger, lust can completely overwhelm our brain.

It's not just about sex. "It's about fixation, reward, and desire," says the brain researcher. "If we don't have desire under control, it can lead to compulsive behavior, distraction from what matters, and a lack of connection." It often leads us to idealize someone we barely know, ignore obvious warning signs, or make decisions we later regret—because our brain is chasing a high.

What we can do when one of these emotions overwhelms us

Even though these three emotions—fear, anger, and desire—can be very challenging, we don't have to be helpless at their mercy. We can practice emotional regulation and find healthy ways to deal with difficult emotions. Theo Tsaousides specifically recommends the so-called "LAPS strategy." "LAPS" stands for "Label," "Allow," "Pause," and "Shift." Here's the best way to proceed:

1. Label

In the first step we name the strong emotion we are currently feeling.

2. Allow

Next, we give ourselves permission that it is okay to feel what we are feeling.

3. Break

Now we consciously pause. We don't react immediately, but take time to let the feeling subside.

4. Shift

As a final step, we can try to focus our attention on something that calms and distracts us.

Fundamentally, according to the neuropsychologist, we should not forget that all feelings have a purpose. Therefore, we should not simply try to push them away or ignore them, but rather consciously accept them and examine them without judgment. "Understanding how emotions work doesn't make us numb—it allows us to live more consciously."

mbl Brigitte

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