– do people repress traumatic memories during their adult years or is that only during childhood?

Question

Like when psychologists talk about repression is that mostly during early years? Or does that happen to adults like in their 20s and beyond?

In: Biology

Answer 1

so, repressing memories is actually just a part of dissociation. the act of dissociation in response to trauma, can sometimes lead to forgetting the memory “entirely” (or rather practically in your day to day life). this is a defense mechanism for the brain of course, and dissociation can happen any time in life thus, so can repressing trauma. however kids do have the tendency to do it more, as their natural flight or fight isnt there to help them, as fighting nor flight is possible in alot of cases. so when they “freeze” they are more likely to dissociate to cope and exist as best as they can for survival.