“EQ hijacking,” more commonly known as an “emotional hijack” or “amygdala hijack,” refers to a situation where a person’s emotional response to a situation is immediate and overwhelming, bypassing their usual rational decision-making processes. This concept, introduced by Daniel Goleman in his work on emotional intelligence, describes how the amygdala (a part of the brain that plays a key role in processing emotions) can take control away from the neocortex (the area responsible for higher-order brain functions, such as reasoning and decision-making).

During an emotional hijack, the emotional response is disproportionate to the trigger because the amygdala perceives it as a threat, leading to reactions such as anger, fear, or flight without the usual rational oversight. This can result in impulsive, regrettable actions and decisions that may not align with one’s best interests or intentions.

Recognizing and understanding the signs of an emotional hijack is for developing strategies to regain control, such as taking deep breaths, pausing before reacting, and engaging in techniques to calm down and assess the situation more objectively. This awareness and ability to manage emotional responses are central aspects of emotional intelligence.