When catharsis is successful, it is accompanied by cognitive insight and positive change.
What’s behind this emotional release?
According topsychoanalytic theory, it’s driven by a need to relieve unconscious conflicts.
i love images / Getty Images
When we experiencestress, anxiety, fear, anger, andtrauma, intense and complex feelings build over time.
At a certain point, the emotion and turmoil can become almost overwhelming.
People may feel they will “explode” unless they can release this pent-up emotion.
It is used in therapy and literature.
For example, theheroof a novel might experience an emotional catharsis that leads to some restoration or renewal.
The purpose of catharsis is to bring about some form of positive change in the individual’s life.
Breuer developed what he referred to as a “cathartic” treatment forhysteria.
His treatment involved having patients recall traumatic experiences while underhypnosis.
Freud also believed that catharsis could play an important role in relieving symptoms of distress.
Theconscious mindcontains all of the things we are aware of.
The unconscious mind played a critical role inFreuds theory.
Freud believed that people could achieve catharsis by bringing these unconscious feelings and memories to light.
This process involved using psychotherapeutic tools such as dream interpretation and free association.
“Catharsis still plays an important role today in Freudian psychoanalysis.
We often use it to describe those moments of insight or the experience of finding closure.
Call or text 988, or visit988lifeline.org.
Takeaways
Catharsis can play a role in helping people deal with difficult or painful emotions.
This emotional release can also be an important therapeutic tool for coping with fear, depression, and anxiety.
Marx C, Benecke C, Gumz A.Talking cure models: A framework of analysis.Front Psychol.
2024;16(10):e71562.
doi:10.7759/cureus.71562
Breuer J, Freud S.Studies on Hysteria.
Harmondsworth: Penguin Books; 1974.
Sachs ME, Damasio A, Habibi A.The pleasures of sad music: a systematic review.Front Hum Neurosci.
2019;14(2):e0212575.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0212575
- Lee Y, Kim D, Lim JE.Do expressive writing interventions have positive effects on Koreans?
A meta-analysis.Front Psychiatry.
2024;50(2):e22143.
