Trauma repression is the brain’s way of unconsciously push away painful, overwhelming memories as protection from the emotional distress — pain, fear, anxiety, or guilt — of revisiting those memories. By repressing trauma, the brain gives one the ability to live their lives, even if the trauma still affects them subconsciously. But without processing the trauma, one can experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
So if the trauma is repressed, how does one know it’s there? There are a few signs. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, low self-esteem, mood swings, irritability, emotional dysregulation, avoidance, relationship issues, substance use, eating disorders, chronic physical pain or tiredness, sleep issues, problems focusing, poor memory, reactivity, exhaustion, hypervigilance, and mistrust can indicate repressed pain, though they may indicate another health condition.
If you believe you have repressed trauma, talking about it with a mental health professional can help. Revisiting the trauma in a safe space with controlled timing and dosage can help you process the pain to reduce emotional distress.
Deb Falzoi
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