Repression

Repression is a psychological defense mechanism in which unpleasant thoughts, feelings, or memories are pushed from conscious awareness. It involves unconsciously blocking disturbing impulses or experiences from entering the conscious mind, effectively burying them. While the repressed material isn't erased, it becomes inaccessible for recall and can manifest in other ways, such as anxiety, dreams, or displacement. The goal is to reduce psychological distress and maintain emotional equilibrium, though at the cost of unresolved issues and potential psychological problems later on.

Repression meaning with examples

• Following the traumatic accident, Sarah experienced periods of memory loss, later attributed to repression. The terrifying images and sounds were too overwhelming for her conscious mind to handle immediately. The trauma created a blockage to stop her reliving the event. This protected her mental state but later caused flashbacks as the trauma resurfaced in stressful times. This repressed memory caused her additional anxiety.
• Many patients who experienced childhood abuse later struggle to recall specific details. In therapy, they may report a sense of emptiness or emotional disconnect. This is the result of repressed memories or feelings. The child repressed these painful events to protect themselves. The body and mind reacted with depression or anxiety due to the buried pain which created other disorders or problems for them later in life.
• After the business failed, John struggled to discuss the subject. He changed the subject if anyone discussed it, as he felt a deep sense of shame and failure. This avoidance was a sign of repression. The emotional impact of the failure was so devastating that he unconsciously pushed the memories and feelings out of his awareness, preferring to act like it never happened which ultimately affected his personal and working relationships.
• A woman may deny feeling anger towards her controlling partner, instead, expressing excessive politeness and agreement. This might mean repressing her negative feelings about the relationship to maintain it. She is unaware of her feelings, but they influence her behavior, as anger often manifests as passive-aggressive behavior. The repressed feelings surface in indirect ways as a subconscious defense mechanism to protect her.