Repression is a term invented by Sigmund Freud to describe the situation when someone is unable to remember an event because it was too painful. Typically, we see examples of repression after a war or similar catastrophe and it is one of the ways that the mind uses to lighten the burden of painful memories.
It takes place to protect the conscious part of the mind, and is a deliberate act carried out by the unconscious part of the mind. Everyone is potentially subject to repression. It has nothing to do with being strong or weak, male or female.
The human mind is divided into two parts; the conscious part and the unconscious part. The conscious mind we are all familiar with; it is the part that we think is really us. The unconscious part is where we delegate all our routine tasks such as tying shoelaces, driving a car or riding a bicycle.
The unconscious mind therefore does lots of things that are designed to help us. In doing so, it often makes decisions on our behalf and even puts them into practice without our knowledge.
One of the things that it does automatically is to look at our memories and experiences and decide if they are traumatic. If they are too traumatic, the unconscious mind will not allow us to remember them. It is like having the Board of Film Censors in the mind, giving a certificate to each memory. If the memory has an "X" certificate, the person will not be allowed to watch it.
What we must take into account is that this censoring may have taken place when we were at a very young age, and what we think was traumatic at five, may seem very tame when we are twenty five. Nevertheless, the unconscious mind will still not allow us to remember. Once it has given a certificate to the memory, it will not (or is very reluctant) to change it.
The unconscious mind does not carry out repression just for the sake of it. It does so in order that the conscious mind can have some peace. If lots of unpleasant or traumatic memories were constantly available to the conscious mind, the results may be unbearable. The unconscious mind does it to help, and protect the conscious mind.
The problem is that even though the conscious mind is not aware of these memories, the unconscious mind is always aware. These traumas result in changes in behaviour to try to compensate or further protect the person, and the changes in behaviour can sometimes appear to be irrational.
It would not be unusual to have strange, apparently unconnected thoughts due to repression. In addition, there may be compulsions, obsessions, phobias or even anxiety. The person is left confused because there appears to be no reason for these feelings.
An example of repression in action could be the following. A boy at the age of three, experiences a difficult flight whilst going on holiday. His unconscious mind represses the experience but he gradually develops a fear of flying over the next few years.
Another example might be the following. When a girl was two years old, her mother had to go into hospital for three months. The need for the hospital stay was not explained to her (because she was only two years old) and as a result, she believed that her mother had abandoned her. In trying to work out why her mother abandoned her, the unconscious mind reasoned that it was because she was not a nice person. For the rest of her life she feels low self esteem, fears rejection and has feelings of inadequacy. She cannot remember the events because they are repressed but the effects live with her every day.
In many cases the question must be asked, "Why bother dragging up old memories?" The simple answer is that if the person does not have unwanted behaviour or has peace of mind at present, then there is little to be gained. If, however, the person does not have peace of mind, digging into the mind to find the cause is very worthwhile.
Often, uncovering regressed memories requires professional assistance (always check the professional qualifications) but this is not always the case. In some cases all that is needed is to adopt a state of mind which demonstrates to the unconscious mind that the person is now strong enough and wants to know about past events. This will encourage the unconscious mind to release them. It will release a little at a time, and see if the conscious mind "freaks out". If it does it will remove the memories to a safe place again. If the person receives them without a problem, it will release more and more until all of the memories are fully available.
Releasing memories should not be a frightening or painful experience. Usually the memories are far less frightening than expected. Things that were traumatic to a five year old are rarely traumatic to a mature and sensible adult. The peace of mind, the clarity of thinking and the rational behaviour that results from a "clean out" make it well worth the effort.
For more information visit the website http://www.san-luis-clinic.co.uk.
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