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What is Catharsis in Psychology?

Dr MS Broudy
Updated on September 4, 2025

The meaning of catharsis in psychology continues to evolve. Originally, it was viewed as the conscious expression of feelings repressed due to a traumatic incident. Later, the definition changes to an outburst of emotion that leads to a sense of profound enlightenment. In modern psychology, however, catharsis can be defined as any form of expression and release of feelings and emotions. This articulation of emotion is posited to lead to healing and positive mental health.

Catharsis

Introduction to Catharsis

Catharsis is a foundational concept in psychology that describes the process of releasing strong or pent-up emotions, often resulting in a profound sense of relief and renewal. The term catharsis comes from the Greek word “katharsis,” which means “purification” or “cleansing.” Aristotle viewed tragedies, especially Shakespearean tragedy, as designed to elicit an emotional response and purify the emotions of pity and fear, enhancing the audience’s ability to process these feelings.

In everyday life, catharsis can occur through various forms, such as artistic expression, meaningful conversations, or significant life events that trigger an emotional release. This process is believed to help individuals cope with difficult emotions, reduce emotional tension, and ultimately support better mental health and overall well-being. By understanding the meaning of catharsis and recognizing its role in our lives, we can learn to navigate our emotions more effectively and develop healthier ways to manage stress and emotional challenges.

In terms of psychological theory, the introduction of catharsis dates back to Josef Breuer, a colleague of Sigmund Freud. Breuer used hypnotherapy to help release feelings repressed in patients due to a traumatic event. He thought that the conscious expression of those feelings would assist in curing patients who exhibited hysteria. The concept of catharsis was fundamental to Freud’s original psychoanalytic theory: he believed that healing could only occur when meaningful unconscious thoughts and feelings were brought into consciousness.

Emotional Catharsis

Emotional catharsis involves the conscious release of deep-seated emotions that may have been repressed or left unaddressed over time. This process allows individuals to bring these powerful feelings into conscious awareness, where they can be acknowledged, processed, and ultimately released. Emotional catharsis can help reduce emotional tension and provide a greater sense of relief and well-being.

One effective therapeutic technique for achieving emotional catharsis is expressive writing, which encourages people to put their thoughts and feelings into words, offering a safe outlet for emotional expression. By engaging in emotional catharsis, individuals can gain valuable insight into their own emotions, develop healthier coping strategies, and experience a positive shift in their emotional state. This not only supports emotional recovery but also contributes to long-term mental health and resilience.

Examples of Catharsis

Building on the more modern meaning of catharsis, we frequently see examples of it in our everyday lives in a variety of contexts. Cathartic experiences often occur during significant moments in an individual’s life, offering relief and helping people find release from deep emotions. These cathartic moments can be intensely felt, leading to gaining insight and positive change. Below are some examples of when one might encounter or experience catharsis:

Loss

A breakup, divorce, death, traumatic event, a stressful event, or job loss is often a precursor to catharsis. The strong emotions following a loss can plunge someone into despair, fill them with gratitude, or cause them to reevaluate their life.

Psychotherapy

Part of any therapy experience is attempting to unmask and express feelings, especially repressed emotions, to make progress with particular issues. For example, a woman attending psychotherapy has an “aha” moment when she is re-experiencing past trauma related to childhood abuse, which leads to a cathartic release.

The Arts

Creative works—including various art forms such as theater, literature, film, music, and other forms of expression—are often associated with catharsis. These art forms create cathartic experiences and cathartic moments for audience members by evoking deep emotions and powerful emotional effects, enhancing the audience’s ability to connect with the main character’s journey. Through storytelling, the downfall or tragic fate of a main character can serve as a cathartic moment, allowing the audience to process their own life experiences and sometimes even prompting a good cry.

For example, in Shakespeare’s Othello, the emotional breakdown and suicide of Othello—a major offense within his community—evoke a profound cathartic response, enabling audience members to share in his suffering and reflect on their own lives. Similarly, Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart uses the tragic downfall and suicide of Okonkwo, the main character, to illustrate the clash between tradition and colonization, resulting in cathartic moments that elicit deep emotions and reflection. A movie, a piece of art, or music can help bring about feelings that aid us in making progress with our personal issues. For example, a man sees a movie that reminds him of his divorce and causes him to rethink his behavior toward his ex-wife.

Exercise

Our emotional state is often triggered by physical elements. Not only does exercise improve mood and lessen anxiety, but it can also cause us to experience feelings that may otherwise lie dormant. People often talk about exercising to “work through” their emotions.

However, while exercise can be a healthy outlet for emotions, it is important to be aware of the potential for negative behaviors, such as using excessive exercise to avoid dealing with underlying emotional issues.

Religion

Many people find that religious pursuits can produce strong emotions and a feeling of enlightenment. For example, finding a sense of higher purpose after a religious service.

Additionally, communal religious gatherings can facilitate social catharsis, allowing groups to share in emotional expression and collective healing.

Stress

Stress can give rise to a multitude of feelings, many of which may be negative. For example, a man has an angry eruption due to marital and financial stress.

Is Catharsis Helpful?

Freud thought that the expression of unconscious emotion was one of the keys to mental health, and this notion is shared by most mental health experts today. Catharsis plays a crucial role in emotional health and psychological well-being. One of the main goals of psychotherapy is to have people communicate how they are feeling. So, it might be somewhat surprising to learn that catharsis, while helpful in many instances, may not always be a good thing.

The Benefits

  • In general, stuffing our feelings is never beneficial. Unexpressed emotions will build up inside us and manifest themselves in various problems, including depression and anxiety. When we can express our emotions in appropriate ways, it is almost always a positive outcome.
  • As originally envisioned by Freud and Breuer, the treatment of trauma requires catharsis. While current trauma treatment may not focus explicitly on the uncovering of unconscious feelings, it remains true that traumatic feelings need to be explored for the symptoms to be reduced. Specific treatments, such as exposure therapy, are meant to elicit thoughts and feelings associated with the trauma so they can be dealt with accordingly. 
  • It is widely accepted that the treatment of anxiety relies on the confrontation of anxious emotions. Feelings that are buried or avoided will certainly increase. CBT, for instance, will ask you to challenge your worries and encourage you to perform behaviors that evoke your anxious feelings.

The Drawbacks

  • Venting your feelings is very similar to the modern meaning of catharsis. Unfortunately, venting has not been associated with positive outcomes. Whether it is vocalizing your feelings or expressing yourself through aggression, venting has not been shown to help.
  • A comparable concept to catharsis is rumination. Rumination is when you continuously think about and express your thoughts and emotions. Rumination is frequently talked about as a way to cope with anxious thoughts, similar to emotional processing. Similar to venting, however, rumination does not work in alleviating anxiety.
  • Some people note that the concept of catharsis may give people tacit permission to act inappropriately. When a person acts aggressively to express their anger, for example, it can be passed off as catharsis. It is important to note that catharsis is never an excuse for inappropriate behavior. In fact, cathartic activities can sometimes reinforce negative behaviors if not managed carefully, potentially leading to increased emotional outbursts or harmful habits.
  • Proponents of catharsis argue that expressing anger does not have to result in behavior that is offensive or harmful to others. They talk about punching a pillow instead of threatening a person or destroying property. Regrettably, learning to express yourself through aggression (even if it is aimed at an inanimate object) leads to more aggressive behavior. Studies have shown that anger and aggression do not dissipate just because you express them through catharsis (Zhan et al., 2021).

The Current Role of Catharsis in Psychology

Despite the evidence against the effectiveness of catharsis, it still has a valuable place in mental health. While expressing thoughts and feelings alone is not enough, catharsis can lead to positive change and gain insight into an individual’s life, supporting long-term well-being. Something needs to be done with those emotions to make them productive.

So, what is the answer? It appears that catharsis must spur lasting change in both thoughts and behavior. In short, it must trigger personal growth. Catharsis, on its own, may provide some insight and initial motivation, but it does not appear to last. Regrettably, change can be difficult to accomplish. Professional help is sometimes needed if you feel unmotivated to make and sustain the necessary change. Catharsis provides a clear jumping-off point. It is up to you to land it.

References
Dr MS Broudy

MS Broudy is a psychologist, writer, and consultant. He has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and a master’s degree in Social Psychology. He has spent over 20 years providing therapy and assessment services for a diverse set of clients. MS specializes in writing about mental health, parenting, and wellness. He has his own blog, mentalspokes.com, where he writes about psychological issues.

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