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Jul 11, 2000

This week's theme
Words to drop into conversations with a therapist

This week's words
trichotillomania
cathexis
arctophile
symbiosis
nisus
acedia
thanatophobia

Anu Garg on Radio
Anu Garg will be on NPR's affiliate station WBFO 88.7 FM program Spoken Arts. It will be broadcast on Thu, Jul 13, 2000, at 5:35, 7:35, and 9:35 AM EDT on Morning Edition.

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cathexis

noun: Concentration of emotional energy on an object or idea.

[Greek kathexis, holding, retention, from katekhein, to hold fast : kat-, kata-, intensive prefix + ekhein, to hold.]

"I'd been to 20 N. Moore Street and watched the throngs of 'mourners' making instant cathexis for the cameras, 'identifying' with the young 'victims' as avatars of Camelot cut down in their prime, a perfect couple who embodied our hopes and dreams, symbols of America's longing for nobility, etc."
Guy Trebay; Eyes Wide Shut; The Village Voice; Aug 3, 1999.

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