Ambivalence
Ambivalence
Experiencing conflicting emotions — such as love and resentment, or attraction and fear — toward the same person, situation, or decision at the same time.
Details
Ambivalence
Ambivalence is the simultaneous presence of opposing emotional states, desires, or attitudes toward the same object. The term was coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1910 and was later incorporated into psychoanalytic theory.
Why ambivalence is normal
Most meaningful relationships and decisions involve competing needs, values, and feelings. It is psychologically healthy to experience:
Ambivalence is a sign that you are holding the full complexity of a situation, not a sign of weakness or confusion.
Ambivalence in therapy
In motivational interviewing, ambivalence is seen as a natural, expected part of the change process. Exploring and resolving ambivalence — rather than forcing a decision — is central to helping people move toward healthy change.
When ambivalence becomes a problem
Prolonged, paralyzing ambivalence (difficulty making any decision) may be related to anxiety, perfectionism, or attachment difficulties. Therapy can help untangle competing values and feelings.
*Mindy's note: Feeling two things at once doesn't make either feeling less real. Both can be true. The goal isn't to eliminate complexity — it's to understand it.*
💡 Real-Life Example
Wanting to leave a job but also feeling attached to the familiarity and security it provides is a classic experience of ambivalence.
This content is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical diagnosis.