Explanation in the lecture

While discussing emotions, Zhang uses “psychic interaction” to describe a cycle: monitoring discomfort and urgently trying to remove it can draw more attention to it, which may amplify the subjective experience.

The term helps explain how experience and responses influence one another. It is not presented here as a separate diagnosis.

An illustrative example

Someone who feels nervous before speaking may repeatedly check whether they are still nervous. That checking can keep their attention focused on the nervousness. This is an editorial illustration, not a diagnostic rule.

Relationship to the two layers of suffering

Two layers of suffering distinguishes the initial experience from added reactions. This entry focuses on how they can reinforce one another. The two concepts can inform one another without being identical in every situation.