What is PTSD Treatment?

The brain is the main command center that governs your body's capacity to operate, your behavior, communication, ideas, and memories. Your memory processing is just as complicated as the brain. Some memories are pleasant, and your brain retains them in mind for reminiscing. Others can be characterized as neutral or bad, processed, or stored.

When you encounter trauma, your brain struggles to manage those memories on its own.

What are repressed memories?

Trauma can leave you in a terrible mental and physical state. Any recollection of that event may be unpleasant at best, and sometimes even haunting.

Anyone who has been through a painful situation does not want to carry it with them. Repressing or dissociating from memories is a frequent defensive technique for getting through the day. When you suppress memories, you are effectively shutting or pushing them out of your conscious awareness.

So, why repress them? Many people feel that seeking to forget terrible experiences is beneficial to their well-being. Sometimes the brain does this automatically, without conscious thinking, to protect you.

What causes repressed memories?

Repressed memories are usually caused by childhood traumas. This is typically manifested as abuse, which can be physical, emotional, sexual, or neglectful. Certain familial issues might also be the cause. A child's mental health might be influenced by his or her family background. Parental separation, domestic violence, substance addiction, or family jail can all cause trauma.

Grief and stress might sometimes contribute to a desire to wipe off memories.

What are the signs of repressed trauma?

No matter how hard you try to suppress your memories, they will eventually surface and cause some sort of disruption. Over time, they might raise your chances of having numerous illnesses and difficulties. Trauma survivors may struggle to recall certain periods or incidents because they have unintentionally blocked them out. This is sometimes referred to as dissociation, or the separation from your emotions, memories, or body.

RUSH OF EMOTION

No matter how well you repress a trauma, stimuli such as sound, smell, or sight might still activate it. You may experience a flurry of emotions and recollections, which can lead to panic attacks or the sensation of reliving the tragedy all over again.

False Memories

Childhood trauma survivors are more prone to have erroneous recollections. After a trauma, attempting to forget or repress it may cause your brain to forget portions of it. Over time, your brain may attempt to fill in the gaps with knowledge that has not occurred.

Black-and-White Thinking

Another issue that might occur following suppressed and unresolved trauma is black-and-white thinking. This distortion results in inflexible thinking and extremes, with no middle ground. You tend to regard things as either excellent or terrible. Aside from distorted mental processes, it can result in mood swings, impulsivity, emotional control issues, and unpredictable conduct.

How can you address repressed trauma?

Trauma is a terrible and life-altering experience. Living with the memories of that circumstance may be too hard to handle, so your brain takes over and creates a mechanism to protect itself.

With the right therapy, you may be free of anything you've been through. You may have to confront your suppressed memories, but healing is on the other side.

Unresolved trauma can be handled with methods such as EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) and Somatic Therapy.

Understanding what to look for in cases of repressed trauma is an excellent beginning to begin your rehabilitation.

If you want to learn more, please contact us immediately for a free consultation.