What does suppression refer to in psychological terms?

Suppression, in psychological terms, refers to the conscious decision to postpone addressing anxieties and concerns. This means that an individual may recognize their feelings or issues but chooses to set them aside for a certain period rather than dealing with them immediately. This mechanism allows a person to manage overwhelming emotions or stressors temporarily while engaging in activities or responsibilities that require their focus.

In contrast, other options describe different emotional or psychological responses. Complete denial of feelings suggests an unconscious refusal to acknowledge them, overwhelming sadness followed by relief relates more to emotional responses than to a suppression mechanism, and a verbal expression of feelings is an open acknowledgment or communication of emotions, which is the opposite of suppression. Understanding suppression is essential in recognizing how individuals cope with stress and anxiety over time.