Hello, I am João Barros, psychoanalyst specializing in psychoanalysis articles. Today we will explore a fascinating and fundamental theme for understanding the human mind: repression. This defense mechanism is one of the main tools we use to deal with difficult or stressful situations, and understanding how it works can help us improve our mental and emotional health.
What is repression?
Repression is a defense mechanism by which our unconscious “hides” unpleasant or painful memories, thoughts, or feelings, preventing them from coming to consciousness. This can occur for several reasons, such as avoiding stress, anxiety or emotional pain associated with these experiences.
For example, imagine that you have gone through a traumatic situation in childhood and since then you can’t remember the details. This can be a case of repression, where your unconscious is protecting you from emotional pain associated with that experience.
How repression affects our daily life
Repression can have a significant impact on our daily lives, influencing our relationships, behaviors and decisions. When we repress memories or feelings, we may lose the ability to process and learn them, which can lead to self-destructive behavior patterns or dysfunctional relationships.
In addition, repression can also lead to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or chronic stress, as our unconscious is constantly working to maintain these “hidden” memories or feelings.
Types of repression
There are different types of repression, including primary repression and secondary repression. Primary repression occurs when a stimulus or experience is completely “forgotten” or not recorded in our consciousness. Secondary repression occurs when a memory or feeling has already been recorded, but is later “hidden” by the unconscious.
Another type of repression is collective repression, which occurs when a whole group or society represses memories or feelings related to a traumatic event. This can lead to a lack of collective consciousness about the problem and make it difficult to resolve.
Overcoming repression
Overcoming repression is not easy, but it is possible with the help of a therapist or psychoanalyst. The process involves identifying and processing repressed memories or feelings, which can be a challenging and emotionally intense experience.
However, by facing and processing these memories or feelings, we can break free from the weight of repression and develop greater awareness and understanding of ourselves. This can lead to greater self -esteem, healthier relationships and a more authentic and full life.
In short, repression is a complex and multifaceted defense mechanism that plays a key role in our mental and emotional health. Understanding how repression works and how to overcome it, we can improve our quality of life and develop greater awareness and understanding of ourselves.
