Emotional Hijacks Are a Universal Experience

Ever found yourself so overwhelmed with emotions that logic takes a backseat? Like blurting out something awkward during a heated moment? Welcome to the world of emotional hijack—where your amygdala (the brain’s emotional command center) seizes control, leaving your rational brain scrambling to keep up.

Let’s first dive into some unforgettable examples from the reel-life to set the stage.

Reel Life Hijacks

1. Meet the Fockers: The Airport “Bomb Bomb Bomb” Scene Poor Greg. His emotional hijack began way before he boarded the plane. From the time the airline mishandled his baggage to his desperate urge to reunite with his fiancé, stress had been building. Unfortunately, his amygdala fell prey to the tension, leading him to inadvertently say "bomb" in the most inappropriate setting—an airport. Chaos followed.
2. Thevar Magan: Kamal Haasan’s Climax Beheading Scene In the heat of revenge, Kamal’s character makes a visceral decision to kill Nassar’s character. The power of emotions—rage, grief, and betrayal—drives the action. No time for contemplation; the amygdala’s in the driver’s seat.

There are plenty more that could be highlighted. But, let's look at some real life ones too.

Real-Life Hijacks

1. Zidane Headbutting Materazzi: 2006 World Cup Final An unforgettable moment in sports history. Materazzi’s taunt triggered Zidane’s emotional brain, which processed it as a personal threat. Bam! A headbutt shocked the world and overshadowed Zidane’s brilliant career. His amygdala hit the gas pedal, leaving logic on the sidelines.
2. Mike Tyson Biting Evander Holyfield’s Ear In one of the most infamous moments in boxing history, Mike Tyson’s frustration boiled over during a high-stakes match. Overwhelmed by emotions and feeling out of control, his amygdala hijacked his actions, leading to the shocking decision to bite Holyfield’s ear.
3. Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars In a globally televised event, Will Smith lost control after a joke about his wife’s health. His emotional brain overpowered his logical side, resulting in a slap that became an instant headline and overshadowed his Oscar win.

It is common in real life too, you know! Let's understand the hijack a bit better.

What Is Emotional Hijack?

When you face a perceived threat—whether physical or emotional—your brain floods with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. It’s your brain’s “fight or flight” mechanism kicking in. But here’s the problem: the amygdala often overreacts, treating small threats (a snarky comment or an awkward situation) as life-or-death emergencies.

The Symptoms of an Emotional Hijack:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Sweaty palms
• Clouded thinking
• Acting impulsively (and regretting it later)

But alas, we fail to notice these symptoms before amygdala has done it's damage in the situation.

How to Prevent Emotional Hijack

The good news? You can tame your amygdala. Here are some steps to identify and prevent an emotional hijack:

1. Pause Before Reacting When emotions surge, give yourself a few seconds to breathe. This brief pause gives your rational brain time to catch up.
2. Recognize Triggers Know what sets you off. Is it criticism? Traffic jams? Identifying triggers helps you prepare for them.
3. Practice Emotional Labeling When you feel intense emotions, name them. Say, “I’m feeling angry,” or “I’m anxious.” This activates your rational brain and helps calm you down.
4. Engage Your Senses Try grounding techniques like focusing on five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, etc. It shifts attention away from the hijack.
5. Deep Breathing Take slow, deep breaths. This reduces stress hormone levels and sends signals to your brain that the “danger” is over.
6. Build Emotional Intelligence Invest time in developing self-awareness and empathy. Emotional intelligence is the ultimate defense against hijacks.

In Closing

Whether it’s a high-stakes World Cup match or a minor disagreement with a colleague, emotional hijacks happen to the best of us. But the key lies in recognizing them and staying in control. Because let’s face it—no one wants to star in their own "Greg Focker airport moment" or "Zidane headbutt replay."

If you want to learn more about developing emotional intelligence for yourself or your organization, feel free to connect with me. Together, we can equip you or your team with the tools to handle emotional hijacks like a pro.

What’s been your most “hijacked” moment, and how did you handle it? Let’s share stories and learn from each other.

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