FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS

What role do emotions and feelings, especially “repressed feelings” play as it pertains to psychological well being/psychotherapy?

Sigmund Freud MD, sometimes referred to as “The Father of Psychology,” suggested that depression was really "anger turned inward'." What Dr. Freud meant was that when strong feelings, such as anger, love, hate, or jealousy, are not properly channeled or expressed, they are repressed. The psyche then reverts to a sort of emotional shutdown. The combination of emotional blockage, difficulty and frustration in identifying and expressing feelings can lead to more severe feelings of inadequacy and depression.

Many people have become experts at stuffing their feelings. Therapy is useful to explore feelings of depression and anxiety that underlie repression. Anger, rage, resentment, jealousy, fear and self-contempt may also be related to repression.

Typically, compulsive behaviors such as substance abuse, over-eating, co-dependency, and "acting-out" are dysfunctional methods used to manage anxiety and emotional disturbances. Negative self-dialogue and self-destructive actions/choices are other ways some people may manage these types of unpleasant feelings.

Psychotherapy will openly explore the meaning and origins of your discomfort. This can be done through identifying, considering, discussing and journalizing your feelings and emotions. Psychotherapy has been well documented to provide a safe haven for people with emotional problems to recognize, manage, minimize, and even eradicate them altogether.