Compartmentalizing emotions can be an important defense mechanism, so long as you re-engage later.
But there are dangers too, experts say.
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Experts in This Article
Benjamin Seaman, LCSW, is a therapist who specializes in couples counseling.
What does it mean to compartmentalize?
All defense mechanisms have a good intentionthey are trying to help us survive a difficult situation.
Benjamin Seaman, LCSW, is a therapist who specializes in couples counseling.
But oftentimes, defense mechanisms solve one problem but create another.
Compartmentalization can be an essential defense mechanism.
What are examples of compartmentalization?
Compartmentalization isnt always a bad thing.
It can be effective in allowing us to show up for what we need to and mitigating overwhelm.
In these instances, one part of our experience is acknowledged, but not indulged in.
What is the difference between repression and compartmentalization?
If the compartments remain very separate, this turns into repressionoutright denial of those parts of yourself.
Healthy compartmentalization in everyday life is an effort to regulate your emotions, not ignore them.
Benjamin Seaman, LCSW, is a therapist who specializes in couples counseling.
It requires making a deal with yourself to find a time to face the hurt/anger/worry/hardship in a timely way.
Many of us have learned that todenyour reality is what allows us to live better with it.
But confronting and integrating our negative emotions are what allows us to metabolize them and therefore experience emotional freedom.
Meanwhile, repression has you avoid the overwhelm with something that aims to eliminate it.
Say you just had a big fight with your partner and youre worried about the state of your relationship.
Unfortunately, we live in a culture that encourages avoidance, and in fact rewards it.
Many of us have learned that todenyour reality is what allows us to live better with it.
But confronting and integrating our negative emotions are what allows us to metabolize them and therefore experience emotional freedom.
The bigger the defense, the bigger the wound it covers up.
Is compartmentalization a form of dissociation?
Healthy disconnection (compartmentalization) is different from maladaptive disconnection (dissociation).
Meanwhile, dissociation is a disruption of consciousness, or a state where you might go away.
As with all experiences related to mental health, there is a spectrum of dissociative experiences.
Is compartmentalizing a trauma response?
Compartmentalization can be a way that people cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex trauma.
Compartmentalization can also be necessary to maintain love and connection.
That said, compartmentalization isnt always a sign of trauma or a trauma response.
Is mental compartmentalization healthy?
If we blunt the negative emotions, we blunt the positive ones too.
When does compartmentalizing become unhealthy?
Compartmentalization can work because it keeps us away from a hard part of our reality.
On the other hand, compartmentalization can become unhealthy if youre holding back tearsall thetime on your work calls.
The feelings that you are needing to compartmentalize are often messengerssignals from your body that need tending to.
If we are always putting them away, we will never receive the message they have to tell us.
How to compartmentalize in a healthy way
Healing can be uncomfortable.
Feeling difficult emotions can make you want to run away.
Modern life places many demands on our time.
If your life is filled to the brim, this may be an unconscious way that youre avoiding feeling.
Ask for an accountability buddy if you dont trust yourself to revisit those feelings.
Make an emotional nourishment menu
Consider positive experiences youve had that have made you feel good.
What did they sound/smell/taste/feel/look like?
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