Meaning of catharsis in Psychoanalysis

George Alvarez 17-05-2023
George Alvarez

Understanding the true process of liberation can be something revolutionary for anyone's perception. This is the truth of catharsis Therefore, let us better understand its essence and how it transforms us.

What is catharsis?

Catharsis, in its pure essence, means cleansing, liberation, or purification of the human mind At first, the term seems quite complex to reach a common point of understanding. However, it is not limited to just one image, which is good, since it achieves existential flexibility.

This kind of conquest comes when we manage to free ourselves from a great tie in our life. That is, the moment we overcome a trauma, we experience a psychic liberation.

Through therapies such as regression or even hypnosis it is possible to go back in time and review the traumas. The memories that caused the trauma can be viewed with great care and patience. A good consequence of this is that we have the reach of various emotions that make the path to healing possible.

Catharsis within Psychoanalysis

Catharsis in Psychoanalysis was advocated through a person's emotional pathways in treatment. It was seen as a way of emotional healing through Psychoanalysis This eventually became part of the studies related to hypnosis, something already worked on by Joseph Breuer.

It is clear that catharsis means the healing of the patient from psychic and behavioral ills. All this is achieved through verbal expression of the experiences that caused the trauma and have been repressed. Thus, more than ever, the word assumes the role of key to internal liberation.

Catharsis for Freud

Freud was the person who unified the idea of catharsis in psychology and introduced it. All this happened when he began to observe the cathartic states induced by the hypnosis process The patients who were seeking healing from their traumas and fears collaborated directly and massively in this research.

It was thanks to this that he founded Psychoanalysis, an alternate branch of Psychology. But its differential is that the exploration of the human mind would be through dialogue. Thus, the free association of ideas opens the field of hidden perception of the human mind in the search for conscious answers.

Returning to hypnosis, Freud made it clear that it is not an obligatory resource for achieving catharsis, so the event could arise within the conversation between psychoanalyst and patient. This alone could help in the relief of mental disturbances initiated by emotions and sensations that have been repressed.

Catharsis in Psychology

Catharsis, in psychology, is the path by which we cleanse the negative emotions we carry around, or, to put it more simply, it is like opening the windows of an old room. Through this you can get your sadness and anger to flow into healthier processing environments .

Before Freud, Aristotle connected with the word to designate the tragic purpose in the performing arts. In other words, it is the opening we use to clear our emotions, mind and spirit.

With that, we ended up winning:

  • Identification

The above mentioned plays serve to make a direct parallel with our lives. Even though they are partly allegorical, we could identify everything that we need to reconsider. Thus we reflect, feel, and revisit our conflicts until we release them.

  • Unlocking

Keep in mind that the conflicts you are experiencing now are the fruit of an emotional blockage. It is as if all the experiences that have shaken you have accumulated and formed a wall of inner containment. Through the cathartic process it is possible to undo this barrier and allow your frustrations to go to a new place.

Liberation in literature

Within literature, the creative process is seen as the extreme liberation of its author. A story is only built when its builder allows himself to go beyond what is seen by him. In this, he has to deal, even, with all that he does not want to see in himself .

Catharsis in literature shows itself as the art of shaping and making use of words. Through this it is possible to draw out of oneself the purging sensation of one's own soul. As a result, purification would be condensed by irrigating the individual from the inside out.

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One of the greatest examples of when this happens is when we read some literary text that moves us a lot. Here we realize how much the cathartic process is capable of touching us internally.

Catharsis in the arts

Psychoanalysis also looks at how catharsis manifests itself in another very popular channel: art. Through it that the renewal of the spirit and the purification of existence with the personal creation is achieved Thus, this cleaning would account for a series of artistic productions in the most varied formats.

This can also happen passively when we connect with some artistic work. For example, try looking at a painting, watching the movies, enjoying music, dance, theater, among other artistic manifestations or any manifestation that attracts the creativity of human production.

In the end, we conclude that the Psychoanalytic view points to catharsis as the release of one's emotional tension. Because of this it also provides powerful emotions going beyond simple relief.

Results of the catharsis

Even if it seems like a utopian goal to aim for, catharsis is perfectly accessible to those who are willing to seek it, each one describes it in a personal way, based on what they needed to face in themselves However, in general, it is possible to achieve:

  • Overcoming fears

This is one of the biggest pillars to be delivered by the cathartic movement. In order to achieve the prosperity you desire you need to let go of everything that limits you. Especially your fears, being the pieces that prevent you from going further.

  • Working with the traumas

As well as fears, the wounds stored in your unconscious are also brought to the surface. The purpose is that, with help, you can review them, understand them, and only then work with them. Unconsciously, episodes from your past interfere with your present, but this can be fixed.

  • Emotional Revitalization

Your well-structured feelings are another of the achievements attained through this liberation. This is because you will know how to recognize them, reaching their origins and observing their ramifications. It is not only the control, but also the harmonization and conduction of these fundamental pillars of your life .

Final considerations about catharsis

Catharsis can be associated with an internal explosion directed at everything that prevents you from growing Through it, you can take a step forward, seeing all that was hidden to your ordinary sight. Existential blindness prevents you from seeing the most basic, but still fundamental elements of your life.

There is no ready recipe for how you can go about materializing this proposal, so it will all depend on what you are looking for and what paths you are willing to cross.

But one of the most sought-after routes to achieve catharsis is our online Psychoanalysis course The classes propose the necessary opening for you to deal with your internal hang-ups and difficulties through self-knowledge. With this, besides resolving what was missing, you will be able to touch on your potential and the possibilities about it.

See_also: Somniphobia: the psychology behind the fear of sleeping or falling asleep

I want information to enroll in the Psychoanalysis Course .

George Alvarez

George Alvarez is a renowned psychoanalyst who has been practicing for over 20 years and is highly regarded in the field. He is a sought-after speaker and has conducted numerous workshops and training programs on psychoanalysis for professionals in the mental health industry. George is also an accomplished writer and has authored several books on psychoanalysis that have received critical acclaim. George Alvarez is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with others and has created a popular blog on Online Training Course in Psychoanalysis that is widely followed by mental health professionals and students around the world. His blog provides a comprehensive training course that covers all aspects of psychoanalysis, from theory to practical applications. George is passionate about helping others and is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of his clients and students.