你是否遇過這樣的人：動不動就發脾氣，一不合他的意就準備翻臉；總是自我中心，卻無法獨自面對挫折。「情緒巨嬰」一詞，指的就是這類無法好好管理自己的情緒，就算長大了也像剛出生的小嬰兒般哭鬧的成人。而這些人不分性別、年齡、社會地位，往往讓周遭人倍感困擾。
「情緒巨嬰」跡象1－無法控制情緒暴衝：
情緒巨嬰最明顯的特徵就是情緒失控。他們常以「我若安好，世界皆可；我若煩躁，世界就爆炸」的極端心態看待事物。當事情不如預期，立即表現出暴躁、易怒的狀態，像個情緒黑洞不斷吸食周遭人的能量，尤其最親近的人往往首當其衝。
「情緒巨嬰」跡象2－強烈的自我中心：
他們習慣將自己置於世界的中心，難以體會他人感受。面對慾望或利益時，往往執著於自身需求的滿足。一旦受到否定或拒絕，便會透過指責、侮辱等方式發洩不滿，彷彿全世界都虧欠他們。
「情緒巨嬰」跡象3－沒有延遲滿足能力：
追求即時回饋是情緒巨嬰的典型表現。他們缺乏「延遲滿足」的自制力，想要什麼，就期待身邊的人「馬上滿足」他們。這種求成心態，往往導致他們在職場或感情中難以建立長期穩定的關係。
「情緒巨嬰」跡象4－高度依賴他人：
獨處對情緒巨嬰來說是極大的挑戰。一旦單獨面對生活，內心的焦躁感便會被無限放大。他們習慣性地向他人提出強制性的依賴要求，若得不到回應就會感到失落、空虛，甚至憤怒。
「情緒巨嬰」跡象5－逃避與推卸責任：
面對困境時，情緒巨嬰總是第一個喊出「關我什麼事」、「都是你的錯」。他們無法自我反省，慣於逃避責任，將過錯推給他人，卻又因內心的理虧感而產生羞恥，進而引發更多負面情緒，形成惡性循環。
「情緒巨嬰」跡象6－雙重標準思維：
「寬以待己，嚴以待人」是情緒巨嬰的處事準則。他們可以肆意破壞規則，卻無法容忍他人的一絲偏差。這種行為模式不僅顯示出他們缺乏規則意識，更暴露出內心深處的不安全感。
情緒巨嬰的形成原因
情緒巨嬰的形成與原生家庭密切相關。過度保護或忽視的教育方式，都可能阻礙孩子情緒智力、社會情緒能力的健全發展。此外，快節奏的現代生活和即時社交媒體的盛行，也在某種程度上強化了人們對即時回饋的依賴，使得情緒管理能力逐漸弱化。
面對情緒巨嬰，最有效的應對策略是建立清晰的界限，離開他們的劇本、不再當觀看他們無理取鬧的觀眾，適度給予空間冷靜，避免陷入相互消耗的負面循環。而培養好自身的情緒覺察能力，也會有助於提升自我的情緒健康力。
Self-Centered and Emotional Outbursts? 6 Signs of an "Emotional Infant"
Have you ever met someone who throws tantrums at the slightest provocation, or who's completely self-centered yet unable to handle setbacks on their own? The term "emotional infant" refers to adults who, despite their physical maturity, display the emotional regulation abilities of a newborn. These individuals exist across all genders, ages, and social status, often causing significant distress to those around them.
Sign 1 of an "Emotional Infant" - Inability to Control Emotional Outbursts:
The most obvious characteristic of emotional infants is their lack of emotional control. They often view the world through the extreme lens of "if I'm happy, all is well; if I'm upset, the world should burn." When things don't go as planned, they immediately display irritability and anger, acting like an emotional black hole that constantly drains energy from those around them, especially their closest relationships.
Sign 2 of an "Emotional Infant" - Intense Self-Centeredness:
They habitually place themselves at the center of the universe, struggling to empathize with others. When facing desires or benefits, they fixate solely on satisfying their own needs. Once faced with denial or rejection, they resort to accusations and insults to vent their frustration, as if the whole world owes them everything.
Sign 3 of an "Emotional Infant" - No Capacity for Delayed Gratification:
The pursuit of instant feedback is a typical trait of emotional infants. They lack the self-control necessary for delayed gratification, expecting others to fulfill their desires "immediately." This inability to wait and work towards long-term goals often prevents them from maintaining stable relationships in both professional and personal spheres.
Sign 4 of an "Emotional Infant" - High Dependency on Others:
Being alone poses a major challenge for emotional infants. When faced with solitude, their inner anxiety amplifies exponentially. They habitually make forceful demands for dependency from others, and when these demands aren't met, they experience feelings of emptiness, void, or even anger.
Sign 5 of an "Emotional Infant" - Avoiding and Deflecting Responsibility:
When confronting difficulties, emotional infants are always the first to cry out "It's not my problem" or "It's all your fault." Unable to self-reflect, they habitually avoid responsibility and push blame onto others. Yet, their internal guilt over these actions creates shame, triggering more negative emotions in a vicious cycle.
Sign 6 of an "Emotional Infant" - Double Standard Mentality:
The principle of "lenient with self, strict with others" governs emotional infants' behavior. They can freely break rules yet cannot tolerate the slightest deviation from others. This behavioral pattern not only demonstrates their lack of rule awareness but also reveals their deep-seated insecurity.
The Root Causes of Emotional Infancy
The development of emotional infancy is closely tied to one's family of origin. Both overprotective and neglectful parenting styles can hinder the healthy development of a child's emotional intelligence and social-emotional capabilities. Moreover, the fast-paced modern lifestyle and the prevalence of instant social media have reinforced people's dependence on immediate feedback, gradually weakening their emotional management abilities.
When dealing with emotional infants, the most effective strategy is to establish clear boundaries and step out of their dramatic script - refusing to be an audience to their unreasonable behavior. Provide appropriate space for cooling down while avoiding getting caught in their negative cycles. Meanwhile, cultivating your own emotional awareness will help enhance your emotional well-being.
