Definition of Repression

Today’s definition of repression may be something you recognize well. “Repression is the natural tendency to avoid or inhibit certain unwanted, undesirable, or upsetting impulses, thoughts, or feelings,” saysDr. Carla Marie Manly, a psychologist. “In the realm of psychology, repression is generally viewed as a specific psychological defense mechanism wherein the individual unconsciously suppresses thoughts, feelings, or desires that are perceived as unacceptable or undesirable.”

Types of Repression

Based on your awareness of the event or emotion you’re holding onto, there are two types of repression you could be dealing with. “Primary repression refers to no knowledge of the content, whereas secondary repression happens when the material surfaces, and then the person tries to shove it back down,” saysNicole Arzt, a licensed marriage and family therapist.

Examples of Repression

In both forms, primary and secondary, repression can impact a person’s life in myriad ways. “Repression can emerge in dreams, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, andrelationship problems,”says Arzt.

If the issue causing repression is left undealt with, a person is likely to feel — and react — as if the remembered instance is currently happening instead of thinking of it as an event in the past. This can lead to that person completely denying its existence or minimizing the situation.

“If the person remains in denial, it can lead to the person ‘acting out,’ as if the current experience was a replay of the childhood experience,” says Lener. “This acting out behavior can cause a great deal of stress for the person and others close to the person, and can be seen in personal and professional relationships.”

Impact of Repression

Anyone dealing with repression will end up spending a great deal of mental energy working to avoid flashbacks, triggers, or discussion around the core topic the person is repressing, saysCarrie C. Mead, a psychotherapist. She explains that a person may be aware of doing this at times, for instance if they avoid a street where they witnessed a terrible accident. However, repression can also be subconscious — such as in the case of avoiding fireworks or loud sounds without acknowledging or even being aware of what memory they trigger.

Without treatment, repression can morph into a series of other issues. “If repression continues, a person may experience symptoms like severe anxiety, unhappiness, irritability, and hypervigilance,” says Mead. “Bodily manifestations can also occur like physical pain at the sight of [what caused the trauma], constipation from holding [the memory] in, or neck aches from feeling the weight [of the repressed memory].”

While you should not let repression get out of control or control your life, it is a reasonable, and even necessary, response to trauma. “For example, a person who has suffered from intense trauma may not have the mental or emotional capacity to process the events of the trauma,” says Manly. “As such, the mind may — very wisely — repress some or all details of the traumatic incident until the individual has the necessary emotional support and stability to begin to process the traumatic experience.”

Manly acknowledges the negative impact of repression along with the positive, “A person who represses information about domestic violence may become involved in serial destructive relationships due to suppression of the negative experiences and the psychological impact,” she says. “In cases such as this, repressing the incidents can lead to repetitive behaviors that are unhealthy. Given the often challenging and sensitive nature of repression, it can be very important to work with a skilled psychotherapist when repression is affecting one’s mental health.”

How to Treat Repression

When the time comes to talk about your repression, the cliche, “the only way out is through,” couldn’t be more accurate. How to get to the other side varies based on how aware you are of the core issue. You may be able to work through it on your own if you’ve previously worked with a therapist to identify the problem or if you have an unusual amount of clarity on your challenges. However, seeing a qualified mental health professional can give you the tools to properly deal with the root cause and work through it in a healthy, lasting manner.

Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.

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