Alternative hypotheses

Compare mechanisms

Compare function, sequence, patient language, and treatment leverage. The aim is not to choose a label—it is to identify which hypothesis best explains this person’s pattern.

Ask this

Which pattern better explains the sequence, protective function, and consequences: worry or emotional dysregulation?

Worry

Worry attempts to prepare for danger but may maintain anxiety by overestimating threat and under-testing coping.

CognitionAffectBehaviour+1

Emotional dysregulation

Emotional dysregulation is a transdiagnostic formulation mechanism that can amplify impulsivity, interpersonal rupture, avoidance, and risk.

AffectBehaviourInterpersonal+1

Definition

ARecurrent future-oriented concern or threat simulation. It can resemble planning, but may be repetitive and difficult to disengage from without producing a workable response. WA CCI resources are practical teaching aids for worry, uncertainty and beliefs about worrying.

BDifficulty understanding, modulating, tolerating or recovering from affect in a particular context, with relevant functional or interpersonal consequences. Specify which part is difficult. “Dysregulation” is not an explanation of its own cause.

Core process

ACandidate maintaining process, to be tested in the individual case: uncertainty → worry → temporary feeling of preparation → vigilance or checking → renewed uncertainty.

BCandidate maintaining process, to be tested in the individual case: trigger → escalating affect → impulsive action or withdrawal → short-term change in distress → conflict, shame or restriction. Strategy–symptom associations vary and do not establish a single aetiology.

Look for

AWhat-if chains · Reassurance seeking

BRapid affect shifts · Impulsive coping

Patient language

A“What if something goes wrong?”

B“It goes from zero to one hundred”

Maintaining cycle

AUncertainty -> worry -> temporary control -> more threat scanning -> more uncertainty

BTrigger -> intense emotion -> urgent behaviour -> consequences -> shame or threat -> further dysregulation

Treatment leverage

ASeparate solvable problems from hypothetical threat loops.

BIncrease pause, labelling, and tolerable regulation options before action urges dominate.

Check before using

AThe main loop is past-focused rumination rather than future threat simulation.

BMood shifts are better explained by episodic mania, delirium, intoxication, or seizure activity.

Formulation language

Worry gives a brief sense of preparation, but it also sustains threat monitoring and prevents uncertainty tolerance.

Open full guide

Formulation language

Emotional dysregulation appears to intensify threat cues into urgent action, creating consequences that then feed further distress.

Open full guide

Browse the map Use both hypotheses

Alternative hypotheses

Compare mechanisms

Compare function, sequence, patient language, and treatment leverage. The aim is not to choose a label—it is to identify which hypothesis best explains this person’s pattern.

Ask this

Which pattern better explains the sequence, protective function, and consequences: worry or emotional dysregulation?

Worry

Worry attempts to prepare for danger but may maintain anxiety by overestimating threat and under-testing coping.

CognitionAffectBehaviour+1

Emotional dysregulation

Emotional dysregulation is a transdiagnostic formulation mechanism that can amplify impulsivity, interpersonal rupture, avoidance, and risk.

AffectBehaviourInterpersonal+1

Definition

Core process

ACandidate maintaining process, to be tested in the individual case: uncertainty → worry → temporary feeling of preparation → vigilance or checking → renewed uncertainty.

Look for

AWhat-if chains · Reassurance seeking

BRapid affect shifts · Impulsive coping

Patient language

A“What if something goes wrong?”

B“It goes from zero to one hundred”

Maintaining cycle

AUncertainty -> worry -> temporary control -> more threat scanning -> more uncertainty

BTrigger -> intense emotion -> urgent behaviour -> consequences -> shame or threat -> further dysregulation

Treatment leverage

ASeparate solvable problems from hypothetical threat loops.

BIncrease pause, labelling, and tolerable regulation options before action urges dominate.

Check before using

AThe main loop is past-focused rumination rather than future threat simulation.

BMood shifts are better explained by episodic mania, delirium, intoxication, or seizure activity.

Formulation language

Worry gives a brief sense of preparation, but it also sustains threat monitoring and prevents uncertainty tolerance.

Open full guide

Formulation language

Emotional dysregulation appears to intensify threat cues into urgent action, creating consequences that then feed further distress.

Open full guide

Browse the map Use both hypotheses