abreaction

[ab-ree-ak-shuhn]

noun

Psychoanalysis.

1. release of emotional tension achieved through recalling a repressed traumatic experience.

abreaction

/ ˌæbrɪˈækʃən /

noun

1. psychoanal the release and expression of emotional tension associated with repressed ideas by bringing those ideas into consciousness

Other Word Forms

• abreactive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abreaction¹

1910–15; ab- + reaction, on the model of German Abreagierung

Example Sentences

He went on to argue, almost uncannily, that our "gigantic abreaction" was likely to give them a major victory.

Read more on Salon

Back in 1979, "The Wall" was a rock star's abreaction to success, but Mr. Waters was also worrying about how media overload can distract and neutralize potential protest.

Read more on New York Times