Emotional suppression is the attempt to push down, avoid, or control unwanted feelings. While it may reduce discomfort temporarily, research by Gross, Barlow, and Campbell‑Sills shows that suppression increases physiological arousal, intensifies anxiety, and makes emotions rebound more strongly.
Emotional suppression interacts closely with avoidant coping, anxiety sensitivity, and rumination.
Emotional suppression is not the same as emotional regulation. Regulation involves managing emotions skillfully. Suppression involves pushing emotions away, hiding them, or pretending they are not there. This creates internal tension and increases the intensity of the very feelings you are trying to avoid.
Common forms of suppression include:
Suppression feels helpful because it reduces emotional intensity in the moment. It can create a sense of control or stability. But research by Gross shows that suppression increases physiological arousal — heart rate, muscle tension, and stress hormones — even when emotions appear “under control.”
Suppression also reinforces the belief that emotions are dangerous or unacceptable, a theme also seen in anxiety sensitivity.
When emotions are suppressed, they do not disappear — they intensify. Suppression increases internal monitoring, narrows attention, and activates the threat system. This creates a rebound effect where emotions return stronger than before.
Suppression also strengthens:
These processes feed into the anxiety cycle, making anxiety more persistent.
“If I let myself feel this, it will overwhelm me.” Emotions peak and fall naturally when allowed.
“Staying strong means staying in control.” Suppression increases internal stress and reduces resilience.
“I shouldn’t feel this way.” Emotions are signals, not failures.
CBH helps reduce emotional suppression through methods supported by research from Gross, Hayes, and Alladin.
This approach is especially effective when combined with reducing avoidant coping and attention training.