unconscious mind
region of the mind that includes unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, and memories; we aren’t aware of this
The unconscious mind refers to those mental processes and ideas that operate below the level of conscious awareness. It represents a vast reservoir of thoughts, feelings, memories, and desires that are not normally accessible to conscious scrutiny.
The unconscious mind plays a critical role in shaping our behavior, mood, and thought processes. It is responsible for regulating many of our automatic bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing, digestion, and immune responses. Moreover, the unconscious mind governs our emotional responses to various stimuli, including trauma, fear, and anxiety.
While the unconscious mind is not accessible directly, psychological research has developed techniques to explore and access the unconscious mind, such as hypnosis and free association. Additionally, cognitive-behavioral therapies and psychoanalysis aim at bringing unconscious aspects of our mental lives to conscious awareness to help people overcome a range of mental and emotional disorders, including depression, anxiety, and trauma.