Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCatharsis DefinitionTherapeutic Uses of CatharsisCatharsis In Everyday LanguageExamples of Catharsis

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Catharsis Definition

Therapeutic Uses of Catharsis

Catharsis In Everyday Language

Examples of Catharsis

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Stress, anxiety, fear, anger, and trauma can cause intense and difficult feelings to build over time. At a certain point, it feels as if there is so much emotion and turmoil that it becomes overwhelming. People may even feel as if they are going to “explode” unless they find a way to release this pent-up emotion.

Rather than venting these feelings inappropriately, the individual may instead release these feelings in another way, such as through physical activity or another stress-relieving activity.

The Meaning of Catharsis

The term itself comes from the Greekkatharsismeaning “purification” or “cleansing.” The term is used in therapy as well as in literature. Theheroof a novel might experience an emotional catharsis that leads to some sort of restoration or renewal. The purpose of catharsis is to bring about some form of positive change in the individual’s life.

Catharsis involves both a powerful emotional component in which strong feelings are felt and expressed, as well as a cognitivecomponent in which the individual gains new insights.

The term has been in use since the time of the Ancient Greeks, but it wasSigmund Freud’scolleague Josef Breuer who was the first to use the term to describe a therapeutic technique.Breuer developed what he referred to as a “cathartic” treatment forhysteria.

His treatment involved having patients recall traumatic experiences while underhypnosis. By consciously expressing emotions that had been long repressed, Breuer found that his patients experienced relief from their symptoms.

Freud also believed that catharsis could play an important role in relieving symptoms of distress.

According to Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, the human mind is composed of three key elements: theconscious, the preconscious, and the unconscious. Theconscious mindcontains all of the things we are aware of.

The preconscious contains things that we might not be immediately aware of but that we can draw into awareness with some effort or prompting. Finally, theunconscious mindis the part of the mind containing the huge reservoir of thoughts, feelings, and memories that are outside of awareness.

Therapy for Anxiety Disorders

The term catharsis has also found a place in everyday language, often used to describe moments of insight or the experience of finding closure. An individual going through a divorce might describe experiencing a cathartic moment that helps bring them a sense of peace and helps that person move past the bad relationship.

People also describe experiencing catharsis after experiencing some sort of traumatic or stressful event such as a health crisis, job loss, accident, or the death of a loved one. While used somewhat differently than it is traditionally employed in psychoanalysis, the term is still often used to describe an emotional moment that leads to positive change in the person’s life.

Catharsis can take place during the course of therapy, but it can also occur during other moments as well. Some examples of how catharsis might take place include:

Remember that exploring difficult emotions can come with risks, particularly if these experiences are rooted in trauma or abuse. If you are concerned about the potential effects of exploring these emotions, consider working with a trained mental health professional.

Some researchers also believe that, although catharsis might relieve tension in the short term, it might also serve to reinforce negative behaviors and increase the risk of emotional outbursts in the future.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or crisis, the988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline(formerly the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) is available 24 hours a day throughout the U.S. Call or text 988, or visit988lifeline.org.

A Word From Verywell

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. If you are coping with difficult emotions, talking to a mental health professional can help you to explore different techniques that can lead to catharsis.

What Is Abreaction?

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sandhu P.Step Aside, Freud: Josef Breuer Is the True Father of Modern Psychotherapy.Scientific American. 2015.Encyclopeadia Britannica.Sigmund Freud. Psychoanalytic Theory.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. 2015;9:404. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00404Childs E, de Wit H.Regular exercise is associated with emotional resilience to acute stress in healthy adults.Front Physiol. 2014;5:161. doi:10.3389/fphys.2014.00161Orkibi H, Feniger-Schaal R.Integrative systematic review of psychodrama psychotherapy research: Trends and methodological implications.PLoS One. 2019;14(2):e0212575. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0212575Bushman BJ.Does venting anger feed or extinguish the flame? Catharsis, rumination, distraction, anger, and aggressive responding.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2002;28(6):724-731. doi:10.1177/0146167202289002

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sandhu P.Step Aside, Freud: Josef Breuer Is the True Father of Modern Psychotherapy.Scientific American. 2015.Encyclopeadia Britannica.Sigmund Freud. Psychoanalytic Theory.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. 2015;9:404. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00404Childs E, de Wit H.Regular exercise is associated with emotional resilience to acute stress in healthy adults.Front Physiol. 2014;5:161. doi:10.3389/fphys.2014.00161Orkibi H, Feniger-Schaal R.Integrative systematic review of psychodrama psychotherapy research: Trends and methodological implications.PLoS One. 2019;14(2):e0212575. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0212575Bushman BJ.Does venting anger feed or extinguish the flame? Catharsis, rumination, distraction, anger, and aggressive responding.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2002;28(6):724-731. doi:10.1177/0146167202289002

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Sandhu P.Step Aside, Freud: Josef Breuer Is the True Father of Modern Psychotherapy.Scientific American. 2015.Encyclopeadia Britannica.Sigmund Freud. Psychoanalytic Theory.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. 2015;9:404. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00404Childs E, de Wit H.Regular exercise is associated with emotional resilience to acute stress in healthy adults.Front Physiol. 2014;5:161. doi:10.3389/fphys.2014.00161Orkibi H, Feniger-Schaal R.Integrative systematic review of psychodrama psychotherapy research: Trends and methodological implications.PLoS One. 2019;14(2):e0212575. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0212575Bushman BJ.Does venting anger feed or extinguish the flame? Catharsis, rumination, distraction, anger, and aggressive responding.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2002;28(6):724-731. doi:10.1177/0146167202289002

Sandhu P.Step Aside, Freud: Josef Breuer Is the True Father of Modern Psychotherapy.Scientific American. 2015.

Encyclopeadia Britannica.Sigmund Freud. Psychoanalytic Theory.

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. 2015;9:404. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00404

Childs E, de Wit H.Regular exercise is associated with emotional resilience to acute stress in healthy adults.Front Physiol. 2014;5:161. doi:10.3389/fphys.2014.00161

Orkibi H, Feniger-Schaal R.Integrative systematic review of psychodrama psychotherapy research: Trends and methodological implications.PLoS One. 2019;14(2):e0212575. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0212575

Bushman BJ.Does venting anger feed or extinguish the flame? Catharsis, rumination, distraction, anger, and aggressive responding.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2002;28(6):724-731. doi:10.1177/0146167202289002

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