abreaction

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abreaction

[ab″re-ak´shun]

the expression of emotions associated with repressed material, usually of an anxiety-provoking or conflictual nature, which is brought into a person's awareness and relived. See also catharsis.

ab·re·ac·tion

(ab-rē-ak'shŭn),

In freudian psychoanalysis, an episode of emotional release or catharsis associated with the conscious recollection of repressed unpleasant experiences.

abreaction

/ab·re·ac·tion/ (ab″re-ak´shun) the reliving of an experience in such a way that previously repressed emotions associated with it are released.

abreaction

[ab′rē·ak′shən]

Etymology: L, ab, from, re, again, agere, to act

an emotional release resulting from mentally reliving or bringing into consciousness, through the process of catharsis, a long-repressed, painful experience. See also catharsis. abreact, v.

abreaction

Emotional release or discharge associated with recall and resolution of mental trauma experienced and repressed in childhood. A therapeutic effect may occur through partial discharge or desensitisation of the painful emotions and increased insight.

abreaction

Psychiatry Emotional release or discharge associated with remembering and resolving repressed mental trauma experienced and repressed in childhood. See False memory.

ab·re·ac·tion

(ab-rē-ak'shŭn)

freudian psychoanalysis An emotional release or catharsis associated with the recollection of previously repressed unpleasant experiences.

abreaction

A process used in PSYCHOTHERAPY in which repressed thoughts and feelings are brought into consciousness and ‘relived’. Abreaction is, it is hoped, followed by CATHARSIS and is most readily achieved when the trouble arises from a recent traumatic event.

abreaction (aˑ·brē·akˈ·shn),

n the remembrance and release of emotions relating to a repressed experience or trauma that can occur on its own or be induced artificially, as through hypnosis. See also catharsis.

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References in periodicals archive ?

A postulated justification for the disuse of drug-facilitated abreaction is the allegation that it gives rise to false memories (Brandon et al.

Survey of the use of abreaction by consultant psychiatrists.

Narcotherapy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorders: a report of two cases

Inpatient abreactions in restraints are now viewed with caution as a possible sign of inadequate pacing of treatment.

Critical issues in the dissociative disorders field: six perspectives from religiously sensitive practitioners

Peer counselors need to be aware, and often are not, that transferential messages may be coded in abreaction monologues.

Nuances before dinner: exploring the relationship between peer counselors and delinquent adolescents

In other words let the patient guide the therapy, allowing abreaction to the extent the person feels safe.

Hypnotherapy under fire: efficacy of heart-centered hypnotherapy in the treatment of Iraq war veterans with posttraumatic stress

Cathartic effects of abreaction in the healing of psychological trauma and psychosomatic pain have been attested to in many studies (Laderman, 1991).

Hypnotic Psychotherapy in the Identification of Core Emotional Issues

Explores the application of hypnosis to eating disorders, reviewing the research published over the last decade, and discusses the increasing awareness of the value of hypnosis as an adjunct to therapy, especially in the treatment of bulimia, such as the importance of the ego-dissociation mechanism and the roles of age regression, abreactions, and catharsis.

The Use of Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Eating Disorders

Following a thorough assessment, a number of hypnotherapeutic techniques are explained and discussed, such as: general relaxation and calmness, guided imagery, teaching self-hypnosis, ego-strengthening, direct and indirect suggestions for healing and recovery, cognitive restructuring and reframing, symbolic guided imagery, age progression (back from the future technique), metaphorical prescriptions, age regression and abreactions, and ego state therapy.

The Use of Hypnosis with Eating Disorders

It is as if Penck's drawings were abreactions that do not quite work, which is why they must be repeated with compulsive rapidity.

A.R. Penck

It is, however, much more difficult to readily impart skills for how to facilitate intense abreactions and to then cognitively reframe and work through trauma in such a manner that it provides a corrective emotional experience (Hammond, 1990, p.

The creation and manifestation of reality through the re-enactment of subconscious conclusions and decisions

She offers hypnotic techniques and methods that tap into their imaginations to heal abreactions to negative situations or habits.