In psychology, is the conscious and voluntary act of pushing unwanted thoughts or emotions out of your awareness . While often viewed as a harmful way to "bottle things up," recent research and clinical practice suggest its effectiveness depends heavily on how and when it is used. 1. The Conflict: Is Suppression Good or Bad?
What Is Suppression? covers the paradoxical effects of forcing thoughts away . suppress
Acknowledge the feeling privately (e.g., "I am feeling very angry right now") even if you can't express it publicly . In psychology, is the conscious and voluntary act
A 2023 University of Cambridge study found that training people to suppress fearful thoughts actually reduced their anxiety and improved mental health . The Conflict: Is Suppression Good or Bad
According to experts at 7 Cups , suppression works best as a temporary tool when paired with a "return plan" :
Overuse of suppression can lead to "blunted reward responsivity," where you lose the ability to feel positive emotions as well as negative ones . It is also linked to physical stress symptoms like high blood pressure and tension headaches . 2. Suppression vs. Repression