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Editor's Note: This article discusses reactions to trauma and may be triggering for some readers.

“The hallmark of...a hijack is that once the moment passes, those so possessed have the sense of not knowing what came over them...Think back to the last time you “lost it,” blowing up at someone—your spouse or child, or perhaps the driver of another car—to a degree that later, with some reflection and hindsight, seemed uncalled for..”
― Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence

For me, one of the most vivid and relatable depictions of emotional hijacking involves the character of Bruce Banner, aka the Incredible Hulk, from Marvel Comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Bruce Banner's character presents as a cerebral, logical, somewhat resigned, mild mannered scientist who doesn't want to hurt anyone. But under certain condiitons, he transforms into an unintelligent, green, rage-filled giant who destroys most of what lies in his path. 

Daniel Goleman (1995), who coined the term emotional hijacking mainly describes it in terms of hyperarousal. The fight or flight response of the brain's limbic system effectively overrules our neo-cortex. Banner represents the neo-cortex, responsible for logical thought. Hulk represents the amygdala of the brain's limbic system taking over to where logical thought does not exist. With emotional hijacking, people feel as though something foreign takes over their bodies, engaging them in reactions and behaviors that do not feel like themsevles. They "Hulk Out." 

Goleman (1995) proposes that emotional hijacking plays a role in PTSD and trauma. People who experience trauma describe feeling overtaken by their post-traumatic stress reactions. Often, they experience trauma responses as unwelcome and involuntary. At times, this manifests as acute anger, but more often appears as extreme fear, terror, acting out behaviors, shame, or flooding of emotion. Emotional hijacking is also commonly described as being triggered, with the events that sparked the trauma response themselves called triggers.  

Van der Hart et al. (2006) and van der Kolk (2014) observed that emotional hijacking for trauma survivors takes the survivor back to the time of their trauma. Once triggered, trauma survivors relive their trauma, experiencing the same overwhelming emotions felt at that time. The defense strategy used at the time of trauma takes over in the current moment. If the survivor tried to flee, but could not, their frustrated mobilization response will be triggered in the present. Much of the time, these responses fall under the hyper-arousal umbrella. Occasionally, though, survivors relive past experiences of hypo-arousal. If the survivor went into hypoarousal to survive trauma, they may suddenly find themselves frozen, shut down, or collapsed in the present.  

In an earlier article, I wrote about Marie, who was sexually assaulted and “did not respond how victims typically respond.” During her assault, she likely experienced the immobilization response to survive. Then later, while talking about her assault with friends, family and the police, she was likely emotinally hijacked back into hypoarousal. In PolyVagal Theory terms, reminders of her assault hijacked her out of the social engagement system into the immobilization response. 

When someone is “triggered” or hijacked out of the social engagement system; it becomes hard to think and communicate. Much of the ability to use facial expressions, language, vocal inflection or movements shuts down. It becomes more difficult both to physically hear others and to follow what they say. Shifting from social engagement into immobilization leads to restricted expression and a flat presentation. Others experienced Marie as emotionless and uncommunicative for this reason. 

In the next article, I continue my discussion of emotional hijacking in terms of parts.  

The content of this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition or disease. This blog is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a licensed practitioner. Please consult with your own therapist or healthcare provider regarding any suggestions and/or recommendations made in this blog. Although the author has made every effort to ensure that the information in this blog was correct at publication time and while this publication is designed to provide accurate information in regard to the subject mater covered, the author assumes no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any other inconsistencies herein and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions. Unless otherwise indicated by name or direct reference, any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The use of this blog implies your acceptance of this disclaimer. 

The following sources were invaluable in writing the above article:

Goleman, D. (1995) Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More than IQ. Bantam.

Van der Hart, O., Nijenhuis, E.R.S., & Steele, K. (2006). The Haunted Self: Structural Dissociation and the Treatment of Chronic Traumatization. Norton. 

Van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin Books. 

© Nancy B. Sherrod, PhD