memory repression

RainbowVeins202 · 04-06-2009, 02:33 PM

ok so this is going to sound random, but how do you tell if you have repressed a memory, or if you just think you have because you're being neurotic?

Katiee · 04-06-2009, 02:53 PM

Good question.. though I don't know the answer. *hugs* xo.

bobbiwibble · 04-06-2009, 04:56 PM

look for any physical evidence to support it.. if you know when the memory was from then maybe look at old calenders, diaries, even if it's just to place the scenario

For example, I knew that I had been sexually assaulted in 2006 but it wasnt until late 2007 that all the memories came back.. some of them seemed too far-fetched to be true so I did some research.. pestered my friends to remember, looked at diaries.. one of my friends did remember me being hospitalised but refusing to give a reason, and in a diary I kept at the time, even though I didn't mention a word of what had happened, I talked about how I hadn't been able to participate in PE for a few weeks and had trouble coming up with excuses..

That's my personal experience of repression :) I definitely believe that it's a very real thing, although psychologists hold mixed views.

Obviously the further back the memory is the harder it is to set the scene, but I think trying to do that is a good starting place

Take care, hope this helps a bit

xxxxxxxxbobbie

consequential · 05-06-2009, 03:11 AM

i posted this in the pychosis thred
i think i have repressed memories but i ws told they were false how do you know if they are real or not

lozza · 05-06-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reallifetime

how do you know if they are real or not

^I have been wondering about this myself...

Schleier von Dunst · 05-06-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reallifetime

i think i have repressed memories but i ws told they were false how do you know if they are real or not

I've been told that it's all in my head and it can't possibly be real. I was wondering the same question. Thing is, my memories aren't from things that happened in this lifetime and so it's almost impossible to prove whether they happened or not

Sometimes Crazy · 05-06-2009, 01:49 PM

In the case of some people who've repressed entire childhoods of abuse - talking to someone who may know or not know (say, a sibiling) can often confirm what you think you may be remembering if you think it's not true to begin with. In my case, I found evidence through letters, carefully asked questions to my family, etc. that what I'd repressed for around 8 years really was true. And as already said, things like diaries, calendars, etc. So it's all things like this that can "confirm" it.

I hope that makes sense.

There are people trained in dealing with repressed memories and can offer therapies that help, and it's important to try and seek one out if you think you may be recovering something.

foxfly · 05-06-2009, 03:24 PM

Looking at diaies etc can definitely help--I could always remember my r*pe clearly, but was extremely foggy about the days surrounding it. I remember being r*ped but I couldn't remember how I'd got to the place where it happened, what else had happened etc, and then I was looking through an old homework journal and found my homework written out for the day I'd been r*ped--and then I remembered how it happened as I walked home from school etc. So if you can find anything physical to remind you, that does help...