Catharsis is a term, rooted in Aristotle’s theory of tragedy from ancient Greek drama. While the term originally comes from Aristotle, Sigmund Freud, the so-called father of psychoanalysis, both redefined and expanded the term.
The term was used to describe the emotional “cleansing” that the audiences feel after watching a tragic play. That emotional release or purification could be provoked by a powerful story, speech, or a message, especially those that involve intense emotions such as fear, sadness, or pity.
To Freud, on the other hand, a catharsis was not just a dramatic effect, but a therapeutic process that helped the unblocking of the unconscious mind.
Although it is more of a psychological term than a communicational one, having a catharsis often disrupts the communication pattern, and/or the abilities of those going through it.