abreactions
n.n. the sudden release of strong emotions that were kept hidden for a long time. This often happens during therapy when a person talks about a painful memory.
n. the sudden release of repressed emotions, typically occurring during psychotherapy when a patient relives a traumatic experience. Often used in the context of psychoanalysis to describe the cathartic effect of verbalizing suppressed feelings.
The patient experienced several abreactions during the first session.
Therapists must be prepared to manage the intense physical and emotional reactions that often accompany abreactions in trauma patients.
While some critics argue that abreactions are merely a temporary release of tension, others view them as a necessary step toward long-term psychological healing and the integration of fragmented memories.