Whether most of your interactions are with your friends, family, children, colleagues, customers or anyone in between, emotional intelligence is an incredibly important skill for any adult when it comes to dealing with other people.
When someone has high emotional intelligence (also known as emotional quotient, EI or EQ), that means they have a strong awareness of their own and others' emotions, as well as the ability to manage and regulate those emotions, according to Psychology Today.
Having high emotional intelligence can help improve someone's life in so many ways. According to the nonprofit HelpGuide.org, a high EI can help bolster stress levels, overall mental health, interpersonal relationships and social awareness.
Conversely, those with low emotional intelligence may struggle with things like stress, coping skills, relationships, sensitivity and social interactions. In fact, there are a number of social habits that can signal low EQ, according to Dr. Whitley Lassen, Psy.D., MBA, a licensed clinical psychologist and Head of Operations at Willow Health.
"As a psychologist with deep experience working with patients experiencing trauma or in crisis, I know that when people have low emotional intelligence, they aren’t necessarily unkind or immature by nature," she tells Parade. In most cases, something specific contributes to an individual's low emotional intelligence.
Curious to learn more about the four social habits that often show low emotional intelligence, what causes low EQ and how to help someone develop higher EI? Keep reading for more of Dr. Lassen's insights.
Related: These 7 ‘Bad’ Habits Actually Signal High Emotional Intelligence, Psychologist Says
One factor that can lead to someone having low emotional intelligence is how EQ was modeled to them as a child.
"When someone has low emotional intelligence, it can often be caused by their upbringing and poor role models for handling emotions," says Dr. Lassen.
Additionally, low emotional intelligence can also be related to a "neurodevelopmental difference," such as autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD) or ADHD. Furthermore, some mental health conditions can make a person come across as emotionally insensitive.
"Stress, depression, anxiety or trauma can interfere with one’s emotional intelligence and influence if someone has low emotional intelligence that occurs alongside a mental health concern," the psychologist shares.
Similarly, if someone who is usually quite emotionally intelligent starts dealing with mental health struggles, their EQ may temporarily falter.
"Sometimes people experiencing overwhelming symptoms of depression or anxiety can come off as being less emotionally intelligent, even if that’s not the case," Dr. Lassen explains, adding that symptoms of depression and low emotional intelligence can overlap in a few ways.
Fortunately, one's EQ is not a permanent state, and it can always be improved (more on how to do that, below).
"You can think of emotional intelligence as a set of skills that you can continue to practice and develop," she states. "Often emotional intelligence gets better naturally with practice and experience."
Related: These 3 Favorite Colors Are Often Linked to Emotional Intelligence, According to a Color Analyst
A Psychologist Says These 4 Social Habits Can Indicate Low Emotional Intelligence
Someone with reduced empathy for others may have low emotional intelligence, says Dr. Lassen.
"Sometimes someone feeling emotional pain or anxiety can lack the ability to support or feel for others who are also feeling emotions," she explains. "This can also appear as being less responsive when you’re trying to speak with them, being withdrawn, shutting down in emotional conversations or coming off uninterested."
Related: These 7 ‘Bad’ Habits Actually Signal High Empathy, Psychologist Says
2. Defensiveness
According to Dr. Lassen, when highly sensitive people get overwhelmed, they tend to come off as defensive—and increased defensiveness can be an indicator of low EQ.
"When working with patients experiencing depressive symptoms or anxiety, they often come to me with their own feelings of shame around their feelings," she says. "This can cause receiving feedback to be overwhelming, which may come across as someone being overly sensitive. Sensitivity can be expressed as crying, reacting or getting irritated or frustrated, which can come off as defensive."
"Someone with low emotional intelligence may be more likely to have challenges with regulating their emotions," Dr. Lassen explains.
"If someone is feeling intense sadness, anger, anxiety, guilt, shame or overwhelm, it could cause them to snap at friends or loved ones," she continues. "For someone with low EQ, this could be a result of being defensive or only interested in their own perspective of a problem."
4. Lacking interest
"Difficulty maintaining conversations with friends or family or saying no to activities or social engagement because of apathy or lacking interest can be a sign of low emotional intelligence," explains Dr. Lassen.
And often, these symptoms signal more than just low EQ; they can also indicate anxiety or depression.
Related: If You Say These 7 Things Regularly, You Might Be Hyper-Independent, Psychologist Says
In almost any situation, "low emotional intelligence can improve through practice and reinforcement," shares Dr. Lassen, adding, "Modeling emotional intelligence for your loved one is one way to support their development of it."
In fact, there are many ways she says you can model high EQ to others. For instance:
When you make a mistake, take responsibility for it and acknowledge the other person's feelings.Ask others questions to show curiosity.After a disagreement, calmly discuss what happened and acknowledge the other person's feelings about the situation.Give positive reinforcement whenever they display signs of improved emotional intelligence, such as apologizing or showing curiosity in others.Additionally, Dr. Lassen has found working with a therapist on emotional intelligence to be quite effective.
"In many cases, working with a mental health professional can further help develop the strategies you need to strengthen EQ," she says.
The same goes for someone whose low EQ might be tied to more serious mental health issues.
"Seeking mental health support to overcome depression or anxiety with a professional, whether in-person or virtually, can help you navigate these symptoms or habits and develop tools and strategies to cope," Dr. Lassen states.
Related: These 9 ‘Selfish’ Habits Actually Signal High Intelligence, Psychologist Says
Final Takeaways
Emotional intelligence refers to one's awareness and management of their and other people's emotions.
Some social habits can indicate low emotional intelligence. These include reduced empathy, defensiveness, snapping at others and a lack of interest.Several different factors can contribute to someone having a low EQ, such as their childhood, role models, neurodivergence and mental health disorders.Anyone can improve their emotional intelligence. Working with a mental health professional or loved one on strategies to improve EQ can be highly effective.Up Next:
Related: People Who Trust Themselves Do These 7 Things Differently, Psychologist Says
Source:
Dr. Whitley Lassen, Psy.D., MBA, is a licensed clinical psychologist and Head of Operations at Willow Health.Hence then, the article about 4 social habits that show low emotional intelligence according to a psychologist was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 4 Social Habits That Show Low Emotional Intelligence, According to a Psychologist )
Also on site :
- Blue Energy Receives Strategic Investment from Constellation to Accelerate Commercialization of Novel Shipyard Manufacturing and Project Financing Model for New Nuclear
- The global rich like Peter Thiel are eyeing the exit door. Argentina wants to be a ‘serious contender’ in the migration game
- Coca-Cola suspended production at its Fairlife dairy after a ransomware attack