Catharsis

Catharsis (Greek katharsis, “purification”), in psychology, term first applied in 1895 to the therapeutic release of emotions that cause tension or anxiety. In their early work on hysteria, Sigmund Freud and Josef Breuer used hypnosis as a means of treatment. Under hypnosis some patients were able to relate and reexperience repressed conflicts or emotion-producing incidents. Bringing these experiences to the surface enabled the patients to release tensions and reduce the symptoms of their illness. Freud called this “cathartic therapy.” He later achieved this effect without hypnosis by using free association with his patients.

The process of catharsis always involves bringing repressed emotions to a conscious level. Talking about disturbing feelings and events may bring superficial relief, but only catharsis through some form of therapy can lead to a long-lasting elimination of the symptoms.