What is the term for blocking conscious perception of feelings, thoughts, or memories?

The term that refers to blocking conscious perception of feelings, thoughts, or memories is repression. This psychological defense mechanism involves pushing unwanted thoughts and feelings out of conscious awareness, which can help an individual cope with emotional pain or anxiety. Repression allows the person to manage overwhelming emotions by keeping them hidden from awareness, thereby protecting the individual from distress.

In the context of mental health, repression can lead to difficulties over time as unresolved issues may resurface or manifest in other ways, impacting emotional wellbeing. Understanding repression is critical in therapy, as it may guide practitioners in helping clients uncover and process these repressed emotions, contributing to healing and growth.

Other terms mentioned, such as dissociation, depersonalization, and intellectualization, are all related to different psychological processes rather than strictly the blockage of conscious perception. They serve different functions in the realm of coping mechanisms but do not align precisely with the specific definition of repressing thoughts or emotions.