Suppression vs.Repression

[mizzou7016]

Suppression and repression are related but very different terms. Suppression is a voluntary response strategy for concealing outward expression of experiences dealing with the suppressed or repressed memories around trauma can be difficult if there is no actual memory of the stress or trauma at all. associated with strong emotions.2 These memories are pushed away but not forgotten. Repression describes memories that are pushed away and totally forgotten. This is an unconscious process of excluding experiences, memories, or thoughts.3 These are the mind’s way of protecting us from trauma when there is not enough time or opportunity to stabilize or heal. Repressed memories are not gone; they are still there. Suppression acts to make memories less vivid over time, while repression retains the most vivid memories.

[Vonus5591]

Dealing with trauma brings alot of cold emotions and truths come out about people. You yourself are only trying to survive and get through but the trauma can because of dangerous situation or dangerous person. You won this time but faced with again you wonder? It is these questions that play on our mind the most. All harshness repeats itself and you are left with too many emotions and questions. Ease your brain, you got through it and you will try to be just as strong. Whether these events will happen again also goes through your mind. Denial of emotions and past events only is our will to preserve in life well. We have to do best for ourselves and mind will protect us.

[mizzou7016 in reply to Vonus5591]

my mind is constantly playing the what if game.....the did I do enough game, the what could i have done different game...the could I have done anything to prevent it(in most of my cases the answer to this is no 99.9% of the time.) and sometimes my mind protects me......sometimes it makes me vulnerable...that's part of the frustration for me.....wanting to be in control of things I have absolutely no control over...letting go and letting god...having faith that people will do what they're supposed to....also goes back to the stigma for me that I am a public servant....I am supposed to be strong....to be "solid"......and usually I am when it comes to dealing with other people and the different situations...but for the longest time I've never put myself in my own flowchart

[Vonus5591 in reply to mizzou7016]

yes with trauma you just react mostly for survival but you do imagine other or what you could have done better, prevent it even. It's big shock to system and leaves you feeling still shocked. You toughen up or you loose it only two results. Most suffer, in silence and never talk about it again. Others, use it and make their situation different. Only certain things protect us and you hope you are protected next time, Very serious and dangerous world to live in. Makes you see world in different light and you can't let your guard down.

Exhausting living with memories and dealing with emotions and shock of it all. Trouble is you still have strong frightening unconscious thoughts of it

It's deep down, you are affected

[mizzou7016 in reply to Vonus5591]

what is exhausting for me....and my situation is definitely different than most....is running all of the possible scenarios through my brain that could happen to me today...and how I will respond to it.....even though none of the things that I get to thinking about could happen at all....and repeating it day after day....and then heaven forbid you see violence or an overdose or something like that..something that "is normal" in my world.....you never get used to it....