When something truly traumatic happens in the life of a child, they may unconsciously forget it ever occurred. This is the concept behind repressed memories. As explained by Healthline, the theory was first introduced by Sigmund Freud after a patient began to recall previously forgotten events during treatment.
Repressed memories remain controversial, and many in the psychological field deny their existence. However, many people have experienced relief from their symptoms after recalling traumatic events in the past relating to physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. This guide explains how repressed memories may present, along with other possible causes forgotten memories.
Signs of a repressed memory
In some instances, a person may be informed of a traumatic childhood event of which they have no memory of. In others, a person may experience a host of mental and emotional issues without apparent cause. This includes the following:
- Decreased self-esteem and self-confidence
- Problems sleeping, including insomnia
- Unexplained pains and aches
- Problems concentrating
- Mood issues
- A sense of doom
Regardless of the underlying cause, you should seek out immediate counseling or therapy if you experience any of the above effects.
Other possible causes of repressed or forgotten memories
Professionals who doubt the existence of repressed memories offer alternate solutions. When trauma is severe, many people disassociate during the event in an attempt to protect their mental health. In this case, a child may not remember a traumatic experience until much older, possibly during adulthood.
Children can also lack an understanding of what happened to them until they gain valuable life knowledge. Accordingly, you may not realize what happened to you was abuse because you lacked an understanding of abuse as a child.
A person may have also denied the event as it was happening, which partially stops them from creating a memory. If so, an adult may fail to recollect an instance of abuse or trauma, but experience residual emotional effects when reminded of it (such as by watching a violent scene in a movie).
