abreaction
n.n. a sudden and strong emotional reaction to a past event. It is often used in psychology to describe a way people release deep feelings they have been holding back.
n. a sudden and intense emotional release, typically involving the re-experiencing of a traumatic event. Often used in the context of psychotherapy to describe the cathartic discharge of repressed emotions.
The patient had a strong abreaction during the therapy session.
The therapist encouraged the client to describe the accident in detail to facilitate a complete abreaction of the trauma.
While some critics argue that abreaction can be re-traumatizing, others maintain that the immediate emotional release is a necessary first step toward long-term psychological healing.
Partial calque of German Abreagierung, from ab (“away from”) + Reagierung (“reaction”).