Is it possible to repress memories of a traumatic event, only to have them surface years later?

Yes! It's your body's way of telling you it is ready to begin healing. As children, repression and dissociation from the traumatic event saves our lives, however, as an adult, repression no longer serves us and keeps us living in the past. Once the repressed memory is faced and dealt with, we can move on from that event.

Yes. I have personally experienced this as I get older. It can be very emotional, re-traumatizing and disorienting when it happens for the first time, or when you aren't exactly sure why/what is happening (eg, a memory comes during meditation, or as something as mundane as washing the dishes). It's important to be patient and kind with yourself, practice self-care during and after a flashback or returning memory, and as always, reach out to someone if you are in need of support. It can be helpful to start journaling, or privately writing about your experiences and what you remember. There are counselors and therapists specifically trained to help and support those with selective amnesia, repressed memories, flashbacks, dissociation, etc.

Yes, it is possible to repress memories and have them surface years later, The brain is an awesome tool that protects us from remembering danger and trauma until we need to address it, or it is triggered by something. When this happens, if at all possible it's good to seek professional help to work through the trauma.

Having repressed memories that surface years later is entirely possible. A well known example of this is a woman who didn't know she was abused until she was an adult, and had memories surface after years of not remembering anything had happened to her. You can learn more about her story by searching for Miss America By Day.

Yes. A friend of mine was raped as a child and had memories of the event resurface when she was in her late teens. They could only remember after they did something that reminded them of the event.

It is, it happened with me, I experience some bad events around the age of 6, and around my 13 it all came back to surface after a trigger. I was very surplice on how my brain did that, but I guest it is a way for our brain to protect us.

It’s very possible. Sometimes we repress memories as our brains are protecting us from the traumatic event, stopping us from reliving it. When they surface later on, it’s likely that you’re ready to deal with the trauma.

yes, PTSD can be triggered years later. If something reminds you of the event or you go through something similar.

Yes, it is! As someone who has had most of her childhood blank with fragments of feelings and blurred visions, most of my repressed memories started surfacing after I found my independence. This happens because during traumatic events our brain goes in "fight, flight or freeze" but in children who are unable to process everything, their memories are suppressed in their minds to ensure that we survive. Once the brain thinks we are in a safe environment no matter how much time has passed, the memories slowly surface. I know it can be quite difficult to deal with them and it hurts more when remembering them but it is part of the healing. There will be ups and downs but I know you can make it, love.

Definitely! Oftentimes the mind caused those who have suffered trauma to repress the event to help protect itself. But then, years later, memories of that event, often including the emotions, can come rushing back. I have personally experienced this and it can be really painful and at times very isolating. It is important to get support, therapy and to try to work through what you are feeling. It definitely isn't easy. I have shed a lot of tears dealing with past traumas. But you know what? THere is light at the end of the tunnel. The mind can heal. It just needs time and patience.