Written by : Radhika Bhattacharyya
Abreaction is a psychoanalytical term which refers to vividly imagining or reliving a painful memory from the past, usually in order to purge or cleanse the strong negative feelings associated with it.
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For example, a brave soldier who has fought several years for his country and has lost one of his limbs in a war; even after treatment by the best doctors in the country, his lost limbs have left him permanently disabled. He might end up being a bitter and depressed man recollecting his days in the army where everyone revered and saluted him versus now when wherever he would go people would look at him with a sense of pity or revulsion. He might feel an increasing desire of ending his life rather than living on pity of others.
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Abreaction Therapy is used when a person is in need of a spiritual or emotional succour after a breakdown. It is only used for people severely affected by hardships or trauma in life to such an extent that it affects their feelings of trust, affection, self esteem and in general, relations with others. They may end up engaging in activities which are detrimental to their health and state of well being.
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By leading the client through the event; the feelings of fear, rejection or guilt are released that have been for long preserved in the vestiges of the clients' memory. As a process that brings out difficult emotions, the client will go through an emotional upheaval that will slowly and steadily provide a release from the burden of the traumatic event. After the treatment, the client gains a new clarity and understanding of the event and should be able to talk about the event without any feelings of discomfort.
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For instance , a rape survivor who is haunted by traumatic reminiscences, may follow an illogical thought process whereby she irrationally assumes herself to be somehow guilty of herself bringing about the horrendous situation she was in , for instance, by reason of her dress code.
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But after the abreaction therapy, there would be a proper clarity in her thinking, and the illogical, self defeating feelings of guilt and remorse are swept aside. She would then come to the proper conclusion that no matter her circumstance, the rapists are the ones entirely to be blamed.
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