Traditionally, suppression was thought to be universally maladaptive due to the "rebound effect"—the idea that the more you try to ignore a thought (like a "white bear"), the more frequently it returns . However, perspective is shifting:
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 suppress
Use it to get through a high-stakes moment, but set aside time later to actually process the emotion through journaling or therapy . Helpful Resources for Deep Dives Helpful Resources for Deep Dives According to experts
According to experts at 7 Cups , suppression works best as a temporary tool when paired with a "return plan" : but the key difference is :
Acknowledge the feeling privately (e.g., "I am feeling very angry right now") even if you can't express it publicly .
These terms are often confused, but the key difference is :