Repression of traumatic memories serves us in the time immediately following traumatic experiences. It's a natural defense which enables us to put the event on the 'back burner' and be able to SURVIVE the immediate situation without having a complete and total breakdown on the spot, which would be much like having an injured leg in a situation where we have to run in order to save our lives. In order to ensure our immediate survival, trauma is almost immediately 'tucked away'. Of course this DOES NOT happen in ALL cases of traumatic experiences... but it DOES happen.
But the benefits of trauma repression don't serve a good purpose for very long. When traumatic memories are repressed, they get pushed back into the subconscious mind, and eventually they cause problems. Everything from self-confidence issues to phobias and sexual fetishes can be a result of repressed trauma. These effects rear their ugly heads in all types of potentially harmful ways which can impact the body, the mind, and the emotions. 'Acting out' in a variety of ways can be the result of repressed trauma... rebellious or disruptive behavior, self-harm (which manifests in many ways: http://www.sectual.com/thread-2574.html) or abusing other people can all be a result of repressed, unresolved trauma.
And this is where the 'filing away' of traumatic memories in the dark recesses of the subconscious mind stops being beneficial. What then is the purpose of not remembering trauma after a certain point? Specifically before any damage can start being piled on top of that already existing trauma by way of the various harmful manifestations unresolved trauma presents?
Trauma can lead to a vicious cycle. Unresolved, repressed trauma can lead to an even more vicious cycle, fraught with dangerous mindsets and behaviors which can result in more trauma heaped on top of what was already there.
But the benefits of trauma repression don't serve a good purpose for very long. When traumatic memories are repressed, they get pushed back into the subconscious mind, and eventually they cause problems. Everything from self-confidence issues to phobias and sexual fetishes can be a result of repressed trauma. These effects rear their ugly heads in all types of potentially harmful ways which can impact the body, the mind, and the emotions. 'Acting out' in a variety of ways can be the result of repressed trauma... rebellious or disruptive behavior, self-harm (which manifests in many ways: http://www.sectual.com/thread-2574.html) or abusing other people can all be a result of repressed, unresolved trauma.
And this is where the 'filing away' of traumatic memories in the dark recesses of the subconscious mind stops being beneficial. What then is the purpose of not remembering trauma after a certain point? Specifically before any damage can start being piled on top of that already existing trauma by way of the various harmful manifestations unresolved trauma presents?
Trauma can lead to a vicious cycle. Unresolved, repressed trauma can lead to an even more vicious cycle, fraught with dangerous mindsets and behaviors which can result in more trauma heaped on top of what was already there.
