Ya know, I kinda sorta have a generalized non-words sense of what "intellectualize feelings" would be but would have to go look up the actual definition of it in order to pin words on it.
Found this,
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/defen ... s-healthy/
Quote:
The Psychology Of Intellectualizing: Intellectualization Explained
In psychology, intellectualization is one of several types of defense mechanisms. Defense mechanisms are a construct first proposed by Sigmund Freud and later elaborated by his daughter, Anna Freud, to explain subconscious psychological strategies for managing anxiety and other uncomfortable emotions. When someone intellectualizes, emotions seem like obstacles, and they shut them out in favor of being emotionally detached, rational, and intellectual. People use this type of defensiveness as a coping skill to keep stress and anxiety at a bay.
Intellectualization can help you get through immediate trouble or give you time to process certain events. However, if you never step out of intellectualization, you may be unconsciously avoiding difficult emotions, including those that are a routine part of daily life, such as frustration and anger. Unresolved emotional pain can become a mental health condition like anxiety and depression. However, learning to face uncomfortable feelings allows us to move on and live a psychologically healthy life.
This post explores intellectualization and how to overcome it and regain a healthy connection to your emotions.
and
https://www.collabcounseling.com/blog/s ... r-feelingsQuote:
Do you tend to intellectualize everything?
This is one of my most used emotional suppression techniques, coping skills, and avoidance strategies. I also notice a lot of my clients falling into this pattern and honestly...it works sometimes, but it (more often than not) leaves us feeling emotionally disconnected and prevents legit emotional processing.
So, do you tend to intellectualize your emotions?
Answer these questions to find out.
When something or someone hurts you, do you try to learn everything you can about it? Maybe you read books, follow professionals on Instagram, and try to understand all the details?
When you're talking about something upsetting, is it easy for you to just list off and describe what is happening intellectually? (This is also a common symptom for trauma survivors).
Do you struggle with talking about emotions but excel at problem solving and talking about the intricate details?
If you answered yes to those questions, you may be prone to intellectualization.
intellectualization isn't always a bad thing.
Intellectualization is a defense mechanism and not all defense mechanisms are bad all the time! Sometimes we need them to help us get through something really hard. Defense mechanisms can become problematic when we use them too often and in the wrong situations.
Intellectualization may help you solve problems and understand the situation. But, it gets dangerous when we are constantly using it to avoid feeling. intellectualization can make it seem are though we are dealing with the reality of a situation, but really you're just distancing yourself from your feelings.
_________________
"There are a thousand things that can happen when you go light a rocket engine, and only one of them is good."
Tom Mueller of SpaceX, in Air and Space, Jan. 2011
13 Jun 2023, 1:49 pm
