The myth of 'abreaction'

• Welcome to a Dialogue on EMDR with Francine Shapiro by John Grohol, 7/22/97
  • ABREACTION by Denise Trombly, 4/20/98
    
    

In my practice virtually every patient has psychopathology with a level of affective resonance that predicts 'abreaction' as a standard. I suggest the term abreaction implies a response that is out of keeping with a usual response and perhaps it might be more instructive to think in terms of catastrophic reactions. The process of resolving longstanding, painful psychological issues is likely to involve getting in touch with powerful emotional forces. To consider such reactions as abnormal or excessive serves to unduly and inaccurately sanitise a natural and appropriate response!

• Definition by Shapiro, 10/30/98