Anger Alert!
August 12, 2026
MPC Emotions Series
Disgust
The body’s oldest alarm system, and what it’s actually protecting.
The Basics
So, What Is Disgust?
Disgust is one of the seven universal emotions (anger, contempt, disgust, enjoyment/happiness, fear, sadness, and surprise) and arises as a feeling of aversion towards something offensive.
Here’s the twist we see in the therapy room though : that same “get away from this” reflex gets aimed at behaviours, other people, moral violations and sometimes, quietly, at ourselves.
Here’s the twist we see in the therapy room though : that same “get away from this” reflex gets aimed at behaviours, other people, moral violations and sometimes, quietly, at ourselves.
Not all disgust is the same
Disgust is an emotion rooted in a simple but powerful principle:
don’t ingest what might kill you.
With that being said, psychologist Paul Rozin identified four distinct subtypes, each with its own purpose.
I
Core Disgust
Rejecting spoiled or contaminated food; the original version of this emotion.
II
Animal-Reminder Disgust
Anything that reminds us of our mortal, animal nature, such as feces, death, or sex.
III
Interpersonal Disgust
Often elicited when we use objects that were used by other people, particularly strangers.
IV
Moral Disgust
Occurs when we think about moral violations committed by other people, often in response to witnessing a social boundary being crossed.
The universal disgust face
Signs to know
Ekman’s research found these expressions show up the same way across cultures, meaning that they’re hardwired, not learned. Disgust usually looks like:
Working with it
What to do when disgust shows up
1
Pause before you act on it.
The recoil is information, not an instruction. Give yourself a beat before responding.
2
Name the category.
Ask whether it’s contamination, morality, or shame. Each one calls for a different kind of response.
3
Use small doses, not force.
If it’s really just unfamiliarity, slow repeated exposure beats pushing through it.
4
Watch for the self-directed kind.
Disgust aimed at yourself is often shame wearing a different name.
Self-directed disgust often stems from shame, guilt, or self-criticism. You can address it in therapy through compassion, self-awareness, and intentional actions.
Disgust is information. Let’s figure out what yours is saying.
Our therapists specialize in helping you decode the emotions that are hardest to sit with, including the ones you’d rather not look at.
