Emotionally Driven Cognitive Divergence (EDCD): A Neurocognitive Framework

Current clinical frameworks lack a construct to describe individuals whose cognition is primarily emotion-driven. Emotionally Driven Cognitive Divergence (EDCD) is proposed as a neurocognitive architecture where emotions serve as the primary operational system—processing input, guiding decisions, and fueling behavior. Drawing from affective neuroscience, trauma studies, and ADHD emotional dynamics, we outline EDCD’s neurobiology, operational modes, and implications for mental health and resilience research.