Emotional Catharsis, at its most basic level, is simply a therapeutic process that reveals emotional responses to situations. However, it isn't always associated with painful personal experiences. In fact, it can sometimes be associated with very rewarding, positive emotional experiences. Many individuals, as well as therapists, find that the healing process of Emotional Catharsis involves learning to release negative emotions from the body. As a result, it is often considered a safe therapeutic response.
The most common question about Emotional Catharsis has to do with whether or not it can be dangerous. Because this form of therapy does involve releasing painful emotions, some wonder if it can lead to addiction. As it turns out, there are a number of different possible connections between Emotional Catharsis and addiction. First, the cathartic response that people experience during and after the experience of emotional catharsis may be enough to keep people from experiencing addiction. However, the release of negative emotions can also lead to compulsive behavior.
For example, the feeling that one receives during emotional catharsis can literally cause an individual to punch a hole through a wall. This doesn't mean that the patient will actually punch a wall, however. In an extreme situation, the patient may actually push the person who is abusing them, or someone else, out of a building. There are even some medical professionals who believe that Emotional Catharsis can lead to rage disorders.
But is Emotional Catharsis itself dangerous? Absolutely not! As previously mentioned, cathartic reactions can lead to catharsis, and the release of negative emotions can be very helpful in the process of therapy. Many people experience tremendous amounts of positive emotions when they are forced to confront the root of their fears and beliefs. If this kind of therapy is conducted by a professional with training in how to use the appropriate kind of emotional expression, it can be very effective.
However, the danger is when therapists use emotional catharsis to direct people's behavior. If therapists begin the process of releasing negative emotions too early or with too much force, then they can instill new ways of thinking and behaving that are not productive. This can result in addicts behaving in harmful ways. It can also result in the therapist or the patient being overwhelmed by the new emotions, and not being able to find a way to release those emotions safely and effectively. When this happens, therapists may inadvertently create a stronger drive for the client to return to their old behaviors.
However, the good news is that emotional catharsis is not only a great technique for releasing unhealthy feelings, but it can also be used for cleansing old resentments or resentful thoughts. The key to successfully using emotional catharsis is to make sure that the feelings you are releasing are ones that you have control over. Too often, when we are confronted with anger, we allow our negative emotions to dictate our actions. We resist what we don't want to do and we resist the things that we think we shouldn't do. By confronting those feelings early on, however, you can begin to develop new ways of behaving that will be more positive.
In addition to being a great technique for releasing old resentments, Emotional Catharsis can also be used as a means of exploring the relationships we hold with those we love. Many of the lessons taught us as children were shaped by our encounters with our parents and other loved ones. Often times, we are influenced by our beliefs about what those relationships should be. We can use the releasing of negative emotions as a way of asking those important questions that need to be answered.
The catharsis theory is just one out of many types of alternative therapies and mental processes used in the treatment of clinical anxiety and panic attacks. The idea behind it may be simple, but the techniques used in this practice are not. It's important to consult a trained professional such as a psychologist before beginning sessions with Emotional Catharsis. In addition, there are other psychological practices and theories that are part of the larger field of clinical psychology, which are not touched upon here. It is important that you learn as much as possible about the many different theories that exist so that you can determine which ones will best meet your needs.