Thought Regulation

Minimal Thought Regulation

Expressions activating this band show little organized management of inner experience, with diffuse noticing of emotions, bodily states, or stress effects and only minimal indication of deliberate mental control. Inner experiences are present as observations or general reactions rather than actively worked with.

Moderate Thought Regulation

Expressions activating this band show deliberate attempts to guide attention and thinking in response to stress, such as refocusing, staying present, calming oneself, or avoiding distressing thoughts and feelings. Regulation is active and effortful, with awareness of how emotions, thoughts, and behavior influence one another.

High Thought Regulation

Expressions activating this band show sustained monitoring of inner experience combined with evaluative or distancing responses, such as judging thoughts as bad, telling oneself not to feel a certain way, watching feelings without becoming absorbed, or distracting oneself from unpleasant sensations. Regulation is more self-conscious and often includes control through suppression, disengagement, or self-critique.

Intense Thought Regulation

Expressions activating this band show strong, explicit efforts to manage intrusive or upsetting inner experience through acceptance, disputing, challenging, avoidance, or calming attention through the body or breathing. Thoughts and feelings are treated as targets for active control, especially when they are repetitive, distressing, or hard to dismiss.

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