Cathected

/kæˈθɛktɪd/ adjective

Definition

In psychology, emotionally invested or attached, having psychic energy directed toward a person, object, or idea.

Etymology

From 'cathexis,' coined by Sigmund Freud from Greek 'kathexis' meaning holding or occupation. Became widely used in psychoanalytic theory in the early 20th century.

Kelly Says

Freud invented the term 'cathexis' to describe how our emotional energy gets stuck to people and things—he believed we unconsciously invest psychic energy into the people we love and the objects that matter to us.

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