Sometimes people wonder if traumatic memories can be repressed.
I'll talk about this in future blog entries, but I will give a brief overview now.
It is very possible for the mind to block out memory of the trauma as a way to try to protect the person from feeling overwhelmed.
Usually, however, even when conscious memories of the traumatic event(s) are not present, there are signs and symptoms that could suggest that something is wrong.
Sometimes people have problems with substance abuse, eating disorders, self-mutilation, anxiety, and/or depression.
It's important to know, though, that not everyone who experiences these difficulties is repressing a traumatic event. There can be many reasons for these behaviors.
In my experience, when someone reconnects to the memories of trauma, things start to make sense.
Often people will say something like, "Now I understand why I always felt uncomfortable when I drove down that street."
Certain smells or places may have inexplicably caused discomfort.
Once the memories have been retrieved, people are able to understand thoughts and feelings they have had for years.
Treatment can then consist of helping the person heal from the trauma and come to terms with what happened.
Hope Makes Healing Possible!
Patricia Sherman, Ph.D., LCSW
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Comments (3)
My experience is that there is usually a non-repressed memory that "leads into" the repressed memory. Also that bits and pieces of different memories can be stored together--linked by emotion. The memories surface as we are ready to process them which is one reason focusing on building strength, self-confidence, and new coping skills can make such a difference.
Posted by April_optimist on June 24, 2007 3:41 PM
Thank you for sharing this with the Carnival Against Child Abuse.
Posted by Summer on July 27, 2007 7:16 AM
If you are pretty sure you have something there (repressed) that you just can't put together, how do you reconnect with those memories?
Posted by Enola on July 27, 2007 3:20 PM