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The word “Catharsis” comes from the ancient Greek word “katharsis” and loosely translated catharsis means cleansing or removal of impurities from the body. Ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle and Plato then began using the word to assimilate the purgation of negative emotions from oneself or purification of the soul.
What Does Catharsis Mean?
Wikipedia describes Catharsis as the clarification or purgation of one’s emotions- particularly pity and fear, through art. The purpose behind such a process being renewal or restoration. So, anything that you do to restore yourself to your normal self, say after having an overwhelming storm of emotions is a means of catharsis for you.
Aristotle originally used the term in his work the Poetics to compare the effect of tragedy on a spectator to the effect of catharsis on the body. Aristotle used the word to describe the effect that, say a tragic ending in a play, might have on its viewer.
How an emotional point in the play can help the spectator to actually get rid of all his fears and anxieties and come out of the play, a changed man.
Over the time the word Catharsis has been used differently in various fields of society. Although the meaning has more or less remained the same. Catharsis still is referred to as something that you do to remove or exert excess emotions/ impure or negative thoughts and expurgate your soul.
Using Catharsis as a Scope in Literature
One of the classic examples of Catharsis in classical literature lies in the story of Oedipus Rex. Oedipus, having known what he has done, chose a course of action to absolve himself of the guilt.
What is most fascinating in his story is the spectacle of a man freely choosing unknowingly a series of actions that lead to his own ruin. He chose self- punishment to “purge” himself of the terrible guilt of killing his own father and marrying his mother.
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Aristotle also believed that literature had this hidden cathartic technology. When he watched the tragedies being performed at the Greek amphitheaters every spring, he noticed that they could purge something that no medicine, doctorly leech or laxative oils could treat: the fear built in the human hearts by trauma.
Using Catharsis as a Coping Strategy in Psychology
Although the term catharsis has been used since the time of the Ancient Greeks, it was Josef Breuer who described how the term had therapeutic uses, especially in the treatment of hysteria.
He devised a method wherein he treated his patients by asking them to recall their past trauma under hypnosis. He noticed that by consciously expressing the feelings that have been long repressed, his patients experienced much relief.
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Sigmund Freud also believed that Catharsis could help treat extreme distress. In their book, ‘Studies on Hysteria’ Freud and Brewer define Catharsis as “the process of reducing or eliminating a complex by recalling it to conscious awareness and allowing it to be expressed.” Catharsis played a very important role in Freudian psychoanalytic theory.
Catharsis and Art - Relativity Within
Art has always played a very important role when it comes to catharsis. In fact, the whole concept of the word was once learnt only in the terms of art. Art, whether it be the creation of it or just a common perusal has since ancient times had its therapeutic advantages.
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There are many artists in the history of time whose work is the result of a cathartic act. One of the most famous paintings by Edvard Munch titled ‘The Scream’ is one such example.
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Louis Bourgeois’ work was also heavily influenced by the traumatic psychological events from her childhood and the artist herself considered her art to be highly therapeutic or cathartic.
Art, I believe, is possibly the most expressive way to deal with one’s emotions. It’s like mapping out your entire mind on a piece of paper or a canvas. Whether it is writing, acting or painting, art in all its forms is cathartic.
Social Catharsis - As a Means of Releasing Emotions
Undergoing an emotional anomaly can definitely be lonely and can elicit physiological, behavioral, cognitive and subjective changes in an individual. Affected individuals often use social gatherings as a cathartic release of these emotions.
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The best possible example that I can give for social catharsis are support groups. Not so prevalent in India, support groups are actually quite common in some foreign countries.
They have support groups for mental illnesses, alcoholism, cancer, AIDS and many other chronic illnesses. Being in touch with similar people and listening to their stories must definitely be super cathartic!
Catharsis in the Everyday Life
Pain is probably one of the most personal things ever. So, naturally people deal with pain and emotions differently. Some find solace in art, music or solitude, while others tend to go other ways. One way or the other, we all do experience catharsis in our lives.
The term catharsis has found its way into everyday life and is often used to describe moments of insight or the process of finding closure. How we choose to reach that point is definitely subjective and various, but here is a list of a few of the things that are commonly considered to be cathartic.
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1. Talking to a friend or family member
2. Listening to music
3. Spending a day just doing your favorite things
4. Looking at art or creating it
5. Travelling
6. Exercise
7. Expressive Writing or Journaling
8. Psychodrama
It is vital to remember that exploring one’s repressed emotions can definitely be a complicated task and therefore it is important that you seek professional help, if and when needed.
Some researchers also believe that while catharsis can help with short term emotional relief, it might be negative and result in random emotional outbursts in the future.
Catharsis can be very useful in helping people deal with painful emotions, which can also be an important therapeutic tool in getting rid of fears, anxieties and depression.
Although it is important while looking for a cathartic experience to keep in mind that you consult a medical professional, if your issues are deep-rooted and your emotions have been long repressed.
Also read - 5 Ways to Improve Mental Health
Written By - Sakshi Singh
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