Experts break down how you can respond to deescalate, rather than fuel, the situation. Sometimes, a person’s reaction to criticism or scrutiny can feel wildly disproportionate, escalating quickly from defensiveness to blame shifting and outright rage. The current president often makes headlines for these kinds of reactions , which draw widespread attention as things quickly spiral on a public stage. In other situations, it might show up in your own life ― in a partner, boss, family member or ex