You've probably heard that it's a poor idea to suppress negative or disturbing thoughts. Suppressed emotions remain in the unconscious and can affect our moods and behaviors even if we're unaware of them.
Based on that thinking, many psychotherapy techniques, particularly for illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), involve dredging up suppressed emotions and memories. By dealing with them, the emotions won't muck around in the unconscious, stealthily interfering with our mental health and peace of mind.
What Does Suppressing Emotions Mean?
Suppressing emotions means intentionally holding back or concealing one's outward displays of feelings, especially in situations where one might naturally express emotions.
It involves inhibiting emotional expressions, even if the emotions are strong, and can be a form of emotional self-control.
