Daniel J. Siegel is a well-known psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and author. He has developed a model of emotion regulation called “The Hand Model of the Brain,” which is a metaphorical way of explaining how the brain processes and regulates emotions. This model is often used to help individuals, including children, understand the complexities of their emotions and how to manage them effectively.
The Hand Model of the Brain involves three key parts:
The “Reptilian Brain” (brainstem): This is often represented by the wrist in the hand model. It’s the primitive, instinctual part of the brain responsible for basic survival functions like breathing, heart rate, and fight-or-flight responses.
The “Emotional Brain” (limbic system): This is represented by the palm of the hand. It includes the amygdala, which plays a central role in processing emotions and triggering emotional responses.
The “Thinking Brain” (prefrontal cortex): This is represented by the fingers and thumb of the hand. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for higher-order thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, and impulse control.
The model emphasises that in moments of emotional distress, the emotional brain (palm) can become activated, sometimes overwhelming the thinking brain (fingers and thumb). This can lead to impulsive reactions and poor decision-making. However, with practice and awareness, an individual can learn to engage their thinking brain to regulate and manage their emotions more effectively.
In the context of Dan Siegel’s Hand Model of the Brain, the phrase “flipping your lid” refers to the idea that in moments of intense emotional arousal or distress, the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for rational thinking and decision-making, becomes less effective at regulating and modulating emotions. This can lead to impulsive and reactive behaviour.
Imagine the Hand Model of the Brain as described earlier. The wrist represents the brainstem (reptilian brain), the palm represents the emotional brain (limbic system), and the fingers and thumb represent the thinking brain (prefrontal cortex). When a person “flips their lid,” it means that the emotional brain (palm) becomes highly activated, potentially overwhelming the thinking brain (fingers and thumb). In this state, the rational and logical thinking processes of the prefrontal cortex are compromised, and a person might react impulsively, emotionally, or without considering the consequences.
This concept is used to illustrate how individuals can lose access to their higher-order cognitive functions and make decisions that they might later regret when they are in a highly emotional or “flipped lid” state. The goal of understanding this concept is to encourage individuals to develop greater awareness of their emotional responses and to practice strategies to keep their “lid” from flipping, allowing them to maintain better emotional regulation and make more thoughtful choices even in challenging situations.
Author: Ania Harnden, BSocialWork, AMHSW, EMDR Therapist
Ania Harnden completed training with the “EMDR Training Australia and New Zealand”, a training provider that presents an EMDR training program authorised by Dr Francine Shapiro and her training institute, the EMDR Institute. Ania Harnden is a member of EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).
To book an appointment with Ania, select Online Booking or call Vision Psychology Brisbane on (07) 3088 5422.
References
Siegel, Daniel J. (2012). Dr. Dan Siegel’s Hand Model of the Brain. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=f-m2YcdMdFw
Siegel, Daniel J. (2010). Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation. New York: Bantam Books.