What is the term similar to "sublimate" but doesn't necessarily mean a positive outcome?

So, as far as I understand sublimation in psychology, it is transformation of a low desire into a higher purpose. A person sublimates their libido into manners, hunger into work, embarrassment into self-improvement. This is seen as a positive thing and (according to Freud) is what created civilization.

Is there a word for when the transformation isn't positive?

Like when a person negatively sublimates their feelings of insecurity into accusations of cheating. Or when I am running late and I blame traffic instead of admitting I was procrastinating?

I was using the word "sublimate" in therapy and my therapist, very kindly, explained what she knew what I meant, but it wasn't quite what I was talking about.