"Emotional roller coaster" is too much of a cliché, but is there a better one?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m writing a book chapter on ways to help caregivers (usually for cancer patients) deal with the emotional ups and downs of their role.

The editor wants each chapter introduction to begin with a metaphor. Naturally, an “emotional roller-coaster” has sprung to my mind, but that’s too much of a cliché, and I’m looking for a better one.

Here’s what I have so far:

Any ideas for a metaphor that’s not of the amusement-park variety?

Thanks.

2

Emotional yoyo?

Mercurial?

3

Emotional involvement is a two-edged sword.

One cannot both care and not care.

Caregivers have emotions too.

Maybe something about boats and waves, tides, etc.

4

I don’t see a problem with using that phrase. Caretakers reading your chapter are not likely to object that a metaphor is “too cliche.” Getting worked up over word choice is a *very *first-world problem, and someone who’s caring for a loved one is not going to have the energy to be bothered by it. “Emotional roller coaster” is a descriptive phrase that accurately describes what’s going on. You’re writing to your audience, right? So, why avoid it?

5

I stumbled over this one at first, and I’m old enough to know that thermometers used to contain hollow shafts filled with mercury!

That’s going to be completely lost on the digital generations.

6

Peaks and valleys?

7

Emotional whiplash.

8

Emotional teacups ride.

9

spiritual cheese grater.

10

Would you buy Emotional Pogo Stick?

Emotional Lawn Sprinkler?

11

Emotional log flume ride?
Emotional tilt-a-whirl?
Emotional Wild Mouse?
Emotional Music Express?

12

Emotional midway?

13

Emotional Tunnel of Love?

ETA: Emotional Laff in the Dark?

14

I think this is going off the rails.

Let’s get back on track, shall we?

15

So, if you’re in an emotionally stable situation, is that described as “an emotional bench type of thingie on the merry-go-round?”

16

I am appreciating all the responses, both serious and funny. Thanks.

17

Greetings from Texas. How about:[ul]
[li]All ate up over it.[/li]
[li]Run through the wringer.[/li]
[li]Wound up so tight that if they stuck a chunk of coal up your butt it’d come out a diamond.[/li]
[li]Like a cat in a roomful of rocking chairs.[/li]
[li]All dragged out.[/li]
…Just don’t waller in it.[/ul]

18

Emotional stop and go traffic. Taking care of someone is not really a rollercoaster, it’s something that gets going and then stalls abruptly, then goes some more, with a lot of yelling and horn blowing in between.

19

Emotional bungee jumping. Blindfolded. Without knowing how long the bungee cord is, nor what it’s made of, nor, precisely, just where you’re jumping from or towards. Or when the damned jump is finally going to stop. Or how.

20

Having done that of which you speak, I can tell you any normal person would feel completely bipolar going thru it.