Abreaction

Abreaction is defined as the temporary, unexpected, reversal of moral course. A very religious person who preaches against alcohol may experience a convergence of stressful events that triggers a moral abreaction resulting in their getting intoxicated. Business people who are too strict ethically might find themselves suddenly doing something entirely unethical. On the page entitled whimsy one might see a more common form of this when a business person under considerable stress parks in a handicap or loading zone to go to lunch. When people are overwhelmed they can abreact.

• Whimsey