Cathexis: Attachment, conscious or unconscious, of emotional feeling and significance to an idea, object or most commonly a person.

NIH MeSH · D002409Psychiatry and Psychology

Cathexis

Definition

Attachment, conscious or unconscious, of emotional feeling and significance to an idea, object or most commonly a person.

MeSH classification

F01.393.246.250

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Common questions about Cathexis

What does Cathexis mean in medicine?

Attachment, conscious or unconscious, of emotional feeling and significance to an idea, object or most commonly a person. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.

Is Cathexis known by any other names?

Cathexis is the canonical name in the MeSH vocabulary. There are no commonly used alternate names for this concept in the official NIH database.

Where does Cathexis sit in the medical classification?

Cathexis falls under the broader medical category "Psychiatry and Psychology" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: F01.393.246.250). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.

Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Cathexis?

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Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D002409) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗