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We all have thoughts and feelings which we know are ‘not okay’ by society’s standards. It’s a natural element of the human condition. What sets humans apart from animals is not a lack of animal impulses, but rather how we manage our animal impulses. One of the techniques we subconsciously use is sublimation. Following is a brief discussion of the theory and a set of examples of sublimation in progress, to help crystallise the concept in your minds.

The Theory of Sublimation

The concept of psychological sublimation finds its roots in the work of Sigmund Freud. Although his theories are contentious these days, there are some fascinating facets to his beliefs about the human mind.

Freud divided the human psyche into three distinct aspects. The Id, our ‘animal brain,’ is home to impulses and urges. The superego, which is the expression of society’s morality, engineers our behaviour to comply with morals, laws and expectations. Last but not least, the ego, which continually works to find the balance between the two.

One of the ways in which the ego balances out the Id’s impulses and the superego’s lofty ideals is through a set of defence mechanisms. These include repression, reaction formation, projection, denial, regression, intellectualisation, rationalisation, displacement and, you guessed it, sublimation.

What Is Sublimation?

But what is sublimation? In essence, it’s the phasing of one thing into another. In chemistry, it’s the transformation of a solid into a gas, in psychology it’s the channelling of inappropriate impulses into positive and productive behaviours.

Instead of reacting in extreme anger, you might clean the house, or go for a run. Instead of sexually propositioning a person, you might write poetry or dance. This can be done consciously but happens most of the time subconsciously.

The process of sublimation protects us from the anxiety around having unacceptable thoughts and urges, preventing us from being negatively impacted by them. Channelling animalistic and primitive impulses into positive outlets preserves our social relationships, our social standing, and essential elements of our lives like jobs and our ability to support ourselves.

It can also act on positive feelings if we subconsciously believe they are too good to last, to protect us from disappointment. In this form, sublimation can become part of the self-sabotaging tendencies people often subconsciously enact when things are going well.

Examples of Sublimation

Sublimation happens mostly subconsciously. We may, therefore, be unaware that this is one of our coping mechanisms. Still, most of the following examples of sublimation apply to the majority of people at some point or another in their lives.

Physical Activity

Competitive sports is one productive way in which aggressive or dominant personality types channel their impulses. Rather than fight or dominate other people, they metaphorically crush them on the sports field. It can be seen as a human version of the ritualised challenges for territory or females that occur in the animal world. A few examples of how sublimation works in full swing might be combat or contact sports and racing.

Often if people feel frustrated, angry, and scattered, or if they are sexually aroused, they go for a run, for a walk, to the gym, use their punching bag etc. These are also sublimation examples. In this way, our mind converts the unacceptable urge to lash out or to have sex with strangers into a beneficial activity.

Chores and menial tasks

Another typical example of sublimation is the conversion of inappropriate urges into useful, menial tasks that, let’s be honest, may otherwise never get done. Instead of being unfaithful to your partner, you pull the weeds out of your flower-beds. Rather than obsessively micro-manage your children, you purge and re-organise all of your belongings.

When you feel like yelling at or confronting your boss, you tidy your desk-space. If your anxiety is causing you deeply distressing and troubling thoughts, you scrub the kitchen and bathrooms clean.

Creative Pursuits

Creativity is a prevalent alternative to inappropriate urges and impulses, most frequently when it comes to sexual sublimation. Instead of sexually accosting a particular person, an example of sublimating your sexual desire might be turning to paint, drawing, sculpting, writing, or any form of craft.

Another example of using creativity to sublimate socially frowned-upon emotions is the transferring of depression, sadness, anxiety or addiction into works of art. Through poetry, story-telling, or other artistic pursuits, negative emotions are channelled into socially valued expressions.

Life-Paths

People’s chosen life-paths can often be expressions of their sublimated urges and desires. Successful managers or administrators have a strong passion for control, micro-managing and organisation. Another example of sublimation might be leadership roles. People in positions of authority often have a need to be obeyed, listened to, feared, loved or respected, that is satisfied through the successful fulfilment of their jobs.

On the darker end of the scale, someone with an urge to cut or harm people might train to be a surgeon, or someone with aggressive tendencies might join the military or the police.

Can we consciously choose sublimation?

Sublimation is, for the most part, a mature subconscious way of dealing with inappropriate urges and impulses. Using the above examples of sublimation and with the help of mental health professionals, train yourself to recognise it. You can then try to identify the urge or impulse your ego is working to conceal.

The crucial element in sublimating consciously is to accept, recognise and validate your feelings, before determining which activity to channel them into. There is no such thing as an inappropriate feeling, only inappropriate or harmful actions. Once you are aware of the urges your ego is hiding from you, you can consciously sublimate them into the activity of your choice.

 

 

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We have first responders for physical traumas or difficulties. Here’s a secret: psychological first aid is also important during hard times.

 

When trauma occurs, you hear the sirens. The ambulance, police and first responders are on the way. As humans, it’s our duty to try and help those who are in serious trouble. And I would like to add, it’s also our responsibility to be there for those who experience mental trauma or difficult situations as well.

 

 

If someone cannot be there for you personally, then there are steps to take during a mental emergency. If they can be, or if you’re the one helping, either way, these solutions are called psychological first aid.

 

The reason we need this type of care is that not everyone knows the right things to do or say, nor do those who experience mental difficulties or traumatic times understand what to do. So, that’s what we’re about to learn.

 

 

The first thing that must be done during trauma, is to remind yourself or the one you’re helping that the trauma is over. That fight or flight syndrome raging in the head must be calmed down to assess the current situation, which may be much better than before. Use simple words and don’t speak too fast.

 

For a while, just practice breathing. This helps you to ground yourself. If it’s your friend, remind them to inhale and exhale deeply which regulates the heart rate. When you’re doing this, you’re remaining in that safe environment while the systems of your body follow your mind back into its normal state.

 

If the survivor of the difficult situation wants to talk, then talk with them, but if not, don’t ask questions at this time.

 

 

If you’re the one suffering, remind yourself that you are strong. You are not a victim, but a survivor. If you’re not the one facing difficult or traumatic times, remind your friend or loved one of their own strength and place focus on independence. This focus on caring for themselves will help them transfer from victim to survivor mode, and also helps them stand up to any additional confrontations or negative events presently happening.

 

 

If you’re helping a loved one, say, for instance, get through a panic attack, making a connection is a great idea. Connecting with someone who may be experiencing a large range of symptoms, such as dissociation or anxiety, can keep them centered in the present.

 

You can talk about the good surroundings, and even introduce pets to help avert focus from panic to caring for another being. This is one reason why service animals are so important.

 

 

During the difficult time, remind your friend or loved one who may be going through something painful, that there is always hope. Hope is so powerful, and it helps us see the positive aspects of every single situation. Thinking of hope, visualizing hope, and practicing hope can truly heal you from traumatic times or difficult situations. Never give up hope.

 

Psychological first aid also includes what NOT to do in these situations.

 

First of all, it’s not an exhaustive list of what to do, and what not to do, but there are a few things if prevented will move the process along much faster. This means getting from hurt to healing twice as fast.

 

So, remember, never make an assumption of what the person has experienced. Only listen as they tell you what they want you to know. Don’t talk about “symptoms” or “diagnosis” because this only makes a traumatic situation seem like a part of the victim’s imagination. This is bad.

 

Never talk down to someone who suffers in difficult times. Also, don’t pressure them to talk about the details even if they have started talking. The point is to let them lead, you follow, giving support as needed. And you will know when it’s time to be extra supportive.

 

Do not try to add details that aren’t there or haven’t been verified. Sometimes it’s best to sit back and watch certain things unfold. One more example would be a domestic altercation.

 

If a mediator is brought in because the altercation is elevating and getting out of hand, it’s best to get both parties calm first, then listen to each one, but one at a time. At some point, you will understand if you need to add anything to the conversation. Listening is under-rated and can come in handy during traumatic times.

 

 

While some bad things seem to go on and on forever, they do have an end. This is one thing you should always remember, and it goes back to what I said about hope. Hope is actuallyknowing that it won’t rain forever.

 

So when utilizing psychological forms of first aid, know your stuff. Your friends, your mate, your loved ones, or whoever is going through these difficult times need your help. It’s best if you know how to do that too.

 

And I think, after reading through these simple steps, you should be able to help yourself and others get through problems a bit easier.

 

I send you peace.

 

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