What is Dereflection?

Dereflection is a therapeutic concept from the logotherapy of Viktor Frankl. It proposes that when individuals shift their attention away from their symptoms, anxiety, or performance concerns and redirect it toward something meaningful, the intensity of the problem reduces. As the perceived importance of the symptom decreases, the distress associated with it also diminishes.

It is based on the idea that many psychological difficulties worsen due to hyper-reflection, or excessive self-focus. Constantly monitoring oneself with thoughts like “Am I anxious?”, “Why can’t I sleep?”, “Will I perform well?”, or “What if I fail?” often increases anxiety and creates a self-perpetuating cycle.

Dereflection interrupts this cycle by encouraging a person to:

• Turn attention outward
• Reduce self-preoccupation
• Reconnect with meaning and purpose

For example, in insomnia, instead of trying forcefully to sleep, a person may focus on reading or calmly accepting wakefulness. In sexual performance anxiety, attention shifts from self-monitoring to emotional connection and shared intimacy. In social anxiety, instead of worrying about appearance or awkwardness, the individual focuses on genuine curiosity and engagement in conversation.

Dereflection is not mere distraction. It is a deliberate and meaningful redirection of attention away from self-absorption and toward life, values, and connection.

Common Examples

1. Insomnia

Instead of trying hard to sleep (“I must sleep now”), the person is encouraged to:

• Focus on reading something meaningful
• Or simply accept wakefulness without struggle

Sleep often returns naturally when pressure reduces.

2. Sexual Performance Anxiety

Instead of focusing on performance (“Will I be able to perform?”), the person shifts attention toward:

• Emotional connection
• Partner’s experience
• Shared intimacy

Anxiety decreases when self-monitoring decreases.

3. Social Anxiety

Instead of monitoring:
• “How do I look?”
• “Am I awkward?”

The person focuses on:
• Genuine curiosity about the other person
• The conversation topic

Core Principle

“The more we focus on ourselves, the more we suffer.
The more we move toward meaning, the more we heal.”
— Viktor Frankl

Dereflection is not distraction.
It is purposeful redirection toward meaning.