psychological conflict
Mental tug-of-war
Psychological conflict is the mental distress that arises when incompatible desires, beliefs, or impulses compete within a person.
You want the job but dread the move; you love someone who treats you poorly; your values clash with your actions.
The term appears in clinical and everyday contexts alike: She's dealing with some psychological conflict about the decision.
Internal struggle that remains unresolved can manifest as anxiety, indecision, or emotional paralysis.
- trust issuesSkepticism toward others' motives
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- mixed feelingsConflicting emotional responses
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- indecisionFailure to decide
emotional baggage · moral dilemma · guilt · self-deception · cognitive dissonance · self doubt · projection · denial · doubt · rationalization · anxiety · inner turmoil · impostor syndrome · dependency · overthinking · resentment · compartmentalization · jealousy
- literary psychologyinner monologue, stream of consciousness, subconscious, unconscious mind, introspection
- existentialismexistence, authenticity, existential angst, existential crisis, angst
psychological conflictinner peace
Mental and emotional tranquility
peace of mind · mental tranquility · equanimity · serenity · inner calm
psychological conflictexternal conflict
Opposition from outside sources
interpersonal conflict · social conflict · armed conflict · political conflict
psychological conflictcertainty
Total absence of doubt
resolution · decisiveness · conviction · single-mindedness · clear conscience
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