Abreaction

Abreaction is a therapeutic process in which a patient relives an important past event which has significantly contributed to the development of his illness.

The re-enactment of the past experience is accompanied by a discharge of pent-up feelings.

This form of treatment is used mainly in acute conversion hysteria precipitated by traumatic events, for example a car crash.

There are various methods that have been used to bring about a state of altered consciousness conductive to the abreaction therapy. A very widely used method is the administration of a 5% solution of sodium amytal.