Trauma creates an imprint on the nervous system, and how we view that impact shapes the approach to treatment and healing. Many tie trauma’s ongoing impact to unexpressed feelings, and this leads to the notion that the cure is to fully express those emotions. This idea of “catharsis” is an appealing one, especially because it implies a straightforward solution.
Cathartic acts, such as screaming or breaking objects can feel meaningful and even pleasurable, but ultimately don’t address the underlying issue. Also, the catharsis hypothesis lacks widespread acceptance within psychology, specifically beyond the psychoanalytic school. For people with trauma histories, research shows these actions can actually reinforce a cycle of emotional reactivity, dysregulation, exhaustion, and disempowerment.