Catharsis is a method that encourages the healing of your emotions and learning about them.
Emotions are complicated and there is no dispute about it. Throughout our lives, we encounter situations where we want to have more control over our emotions and learn to express them properly.
There are multiple therapeutic methods and strategies for the management of emotions, however, there is no magic remedy that allows us to achieve such stability instantly.
This includes catharsis. The process will be long and arduous, but with the necessary tools and information, discovering yourself and your emotions becomes entirely possible.
What is catharsis?
Today, the most accepted meaning describes catharsis as a process of purification or elimination of any emotional state of strong character, particularly fear, anger or sadness.
Origin of catharsis
The term catharsis, originated from the Greek katharsis, was coined by the great philosopher Aristotle.
Although the term had been used by Aristotle in earlier works, catharsis played a more important role in the work entitled Poetics. In it, the philosopher speaks of tragedy, the catharsis that lies in it, its literary meaning and effect on the reader.
He describes catharsis as the purification or cleansing experienced by the body, mind and soul of literary characters after encountering misfortune, a product of their own arrogance.
Misfortune helps the character to know and experience emotions such as pity, fear, and anger; thus allowing you to overcome them and purify your soul of them.
This narrative tool became relevant in the area of psychology, when Josef Breuer and Sigmund Freud created the cathartic method.
This psychotherapeutic method sought to revive, through hypnosis, those emotions or memories deeply repressed in the patient’s subconscious. Originally, it was aimed at patients suffering from hysteria.
The person, under hypnotic effect, was able to speak and confront those repressed emotions. By doing so, he could come to understand, accept and overcome them.
Meaning of catharsis in psychology
In his later works, Sigmund Freud would not be entirely satisfied about the results obtained through cathartic treatment that involved hypnosis and focused on the area of psychoanalysis.
However, the foundation of cathartic therapy is still in use in contemporary psychology. Certain psychologists and psychiatrists have used the hydraulic model as an analogy to affirm the efficacy of cathartic therapy.
The theory states that just as a hydraulic machine requires releasing pressure that tends to build up, the same is true for emotions. Emotions are natural products of our body.
These must be released and expressed to avoid their accumulation. When this does not happen, emotional distress (emotional state marked by overwhelming feelings) is generated. Repressed emotions disturb people’s thinking and action.
Recognizing these emotions, learning from them and overcoming them becomes an unlikely process to learn to manage your emotional states.
The foundation of catharsis has been applied in different therapeutic methodologies such as emotion-focused therapy, where the person must learn to recognize their own emotions and express them healthily.
Although the rationale for catharsis provides valid points, there is still wide controversy about the methodology by which catharsis can be achieved and which can offer the greatest benefits to certain patients.
Meaning of catharsis in medicine
In traditional medicine, the term catharsis does not have the same meaning as in the branches of psychological or psychiatric therapy. It is more related to the literal meaning of its Greek root, the purge or elimination.
In psychology and literary narrative, it refers to emotions. In medicine, a cathartic agent is any substance (a drug, for example) that accelerates defecation and intestinal transit.
It should not be confused with a laxative which is a substance that facilitates defecation.
How does catharsis occur?
Catharsis, in the strictest sense of the word, is achieved when there is a purge of those extreme emotions, be it anger or sadness, through different methods.
But in a more practical and less liberal sense, it is about recognizing and understanding emotions as an inherent part of us.
Whether through introspection, therapeutic sessions with professional psychologists, meditation or any other method, remembering those emotions that cause us distress and facing them is a tool for overcoming them.
Importance of catharsis for emotional health
Although catharsis and its therapeutic use for a certain class of patients is still a matter of controversy, it is generally accepted that its foundation is beneficial for the person.
Modern society implies a busy and hectic life, where dozens of different events occur throughout the day. Each of them exerts an influence on our emotions.
Some cause joy and jubilation, others sadness or melancholy. However, in order to get on with their day, many decide to suppress how they feel about it and try to ignore it. At first, this is benign.
However, the passing of days means that emotions that we seek to suppress continue to accumulate. By not being treated, they become an internal pressure that seeks to come to light.
Fighting against these repressed emotions becomes an arduous emotional effort that disturbs our mind; it prevents us from making clear decisions and even the simplest task can seem complicated.
Emotional distress has a direct effect on our bodily functions.
It has been shown that continuous stress increases the chances of developing cardiovascular or even infectious diseases (by inhibiting our defenses).
How to apply catharsis in life?
The help offered by professionals in the area of psychology will always be irreplaceable. Their experience and knowledge will provide you with the necessary tools to manage your emotions.
However, catharsis can be applied in small doses in our lives. Changes, innocuous at first, but which, cumulatively, offer emotional benefits.
The simple act of remembering with laughter, years later, embarrassing situations at the time can generate a sense of satisfaction at having overcome that previously negative memory.
Catharsis can be achieved in small doses by watching a movie, TV series, book, or play and empathizing with the situations and emotions experienced by the characters.
Here are some things you can do to apply catharsis in your life.
Be aware of your emotions
As we expressed previously, emotions are the different natural reactions that you can experience when faced with certain situations. However, this is easier in theory than in practice.
Generally, we are not aware of how our body or mind reacts to a situation. As a first step to solving this, articulating your state of mind in a specific situation in words or sentences helps.
Ask yourself the following questions: How do I feel about it? Why do I feel this way? What specific factor or event generated this response? How do I act in this situation?
Remember that emotions are physiological responses that can generate a physical (behavior) or mental (cognition) response. By trying to identify the causes and effects of your mood, it makes it easier to recognize and express your emotions.
write your thoughts
Having some kind of control over your emotions fosters understanding of them. It induces a feeling of liberation by expressing ourselves freely and without any restriction.
Writing down your thoughts, whether in your own handwriting on a piece of paper or some kind of journal, allows you to keep track of how you feel and react to specific situations.
Registering your emotions is closely related to the previous point: recognizing your emotions. How does he do it?
First, it allows you to prioritize your worries, fears, doubts, or any thought that has crossed your mind. Recognize your emotions or immediate behaviors towards a particular situation.
Second, it allows you to recognize the causes behind your emotional state. Without a registry, locating precisely what affects us and what doesn’t become more difficult.
But, by writing it down, you can recognize the moment where a situation generated an emotional response, be it fear, insecurity or anger. Now that you’ve located the cause, it’s easier to work on.
Finally, it allows self-assessment. You can discern what emotions or acts are not healthy for your mind and what kind of behavior you should adopt for your benefit.
Do physical activity
Keeping a mental and physical record of your emotions are just aspects of the journey that leads to catharsis.
Physical exercise is essential to achieve a healthy balance, both mental and physical.
By exercising, the cardiovascular system is stimulated to pump blood faster, improving circulation and oxygenation of your body. Particularly your brain.
Improving blood circulation to the brain carries a myriad of benefits, including: Clear your mind. Thinking more clearly encourages critical and analytical thinking.
This is related to the previous points, which require self-assessment and mental reasoning about our emotions and how they affect us.
Relax and Disconnect
At first glance, it may seem like a difficult task. Especially for those whose day to day is full of activities, work and projects.
However, disconnecting facilitates introspection. It allows the dissociation of your daily activities or circumstances, especially those that exert a negative effect without knowing it.
In such a way that it makes it easier to recognize that unhealthy event or circumstance for us.
It also allows you to clear your mind. The daily bombardment of information requires a large percentage of your mental capacity to analyze everything we read or experience at all times.
That, in turn, leaves your brain little time to reflect or wander about you and your emotions. By disconnecting from your daily routine, you can reflect on everything that negatively influences your life.
Taking a certain time out of your day to sit down and get away from your phone, television, or any other distraction will encourage thinking, self-reflection, and managing your emotions.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.