Lingering emotions or experiences that have not been fully processed or resolved. These feelings can often stem from past events, particularly childhood trauma.
Related terms
Repression: The unconscious act of pushing distressing thoughts or memories into the unconscious mind.
Catharsis: The process of releasing pent-up emotions or tensions through expressive means such as talking, writing, or art.
Regression: A defense mechanism where an individual reverts to behaviors characteristic of an earlier stage of development when faced with stress or anxiety.