I need info on repressed memory...I remember being molested as a child???

Question

I had no memory of abuse until 2 years ago. I started having flashbacks about my favorite unkle raping me in his truck when I was about 8 yrs old. It is very detailed and has caused me a lot of problems (depression, sexual dysfunction) I am in counseling and it seems to be helping. I have no memories of anything before third grade. Has anyone else in the world dealt with anything like this?

Answer 1

I hope no one picks on you or gives you answers like, "You're making this up."
The reason the memories had been repressed is for your own salvation. If you hadn't repressed them you wouldn't have been able to cope as a child.
Often these memories come out when a person is older and feels safer in their lives. Then the child within feels safe enough to release some of her/his pain.
I'm so sorry. Good luck to you. Stay in counselling.
Also, the reason you don't remember anything before third grade is because you were abused and your mind just blocked out the uncle's rapes and before the uncle's rapes. Perhaps he started earlier than you even remember?

Answer 2

It is not uncommon for emotional trauma to cause amnesia in children especially. It is just too much to take in and so the mind represses or "loses" that information. Now that you are 14 and approaching sexual maturity those memories may be resurfacing. I am so sorry that you are having these emotions real or imagined. Having a preschool crush on an adult doesn't necessarily point to molestation. But if your behavior with the teacher mirrored how an adult would show sexual interest then there is a big concern because: Children have NO real concept of sex or sexuality. If you were acting out sexually at that young age you were taught, either by someone inappropriately touching you or by seeing adults (tv & movies included) behave inappropriately in front of you - which is abusive as well. It will be difficult to determine if you are experiencing repressed memories or not or even if you are remembering the right perpetrator. But I would say trust your instincts and keep you eyes open. Do not feel guilty for feeling uncomfortable around this Uncle and do not allow yourself to be pressured to be in his company, especially while you are sorting things out. Are there any signs that he has behaved this way toward others in your family? Talk with your parents about getting counseling. Also do not stress about regaining the memories and try your best not to be consumed with what did or did not happen.It will come when it comes, if ever. Of course if you do remember, there are very definite legal steps you can take. In the meantime, Take deep breaths and find positive things to do with your time.

Answer 3

Yes I have. What happened to me is that one day I was in the car with my mom and out of nowhere I just started remenbering stuff about the abuse, and it really hit me . I had an awful time because I didn´t want to tell anyone until one day I couldn´t stand it and I told my mom. She cried with me for about two hours , then I strated to go to counselling and I got over it pretty well. I mistly felt angry because I was less than 5 years old when it happened and the thing is that about my childhood at that time that´s all I remember. So Be patiente and be strong counselling really helps , sometimes things that happen to us are so awful that aour own minds don´t let them come to the syrface but hopefully you will be fine. Good luck.

Answer 4

Missing pieces of my childhood. therapy helped a lot, and a lot of it came back. I believe that if I am supposed to remember it all, it will be revealed to me when I am strong enough to handle.Far as I know, I was NOT sexually molested; just generally abused & neglected.

Ignoe the answers with thumbs down marked. We have good reasons for doing so. Wish you the best of luck and healing.

Answer 5

you are not alone. I didn't remember until I had 3 little girls of my own. then it all came rushing back to me. I thought I was going in sane. No therapist put anything in my head ( i didn't see one for years after a remembered) I have read a lot of book on self help and have gotten stronger. I still don't remember a lot of my childhood. Kids do not make up stories about this stuff and its high time some adults start believing them. I pray that you too will get over this hurdle in your life and be stronger for remembering.

Answer 6

Yeah something you experienced triggered those memories. This does happen from time to time but isn't as common as everyone thinks, as far as i understand. It's not something you should deal with alone. Seek a therapist trained to deal with sexual abuse, if yours isn't. Ask them about repressed memories and abuse. It is a long road but you will heal.

Answer 7

Yes ... i am dealing with the same problem. I was repeatedly molested and abused sexually as a child. I too repressed them for a long time and then one day i was listening to a radio talk show (Loveline) that deals with private issues like abuse and dysfunction (1-800-love-191) i don't know where you live, but its on a lot of radio stations across the U.S, i listen to it sometimes on kroq (106.7 in L.A. and O.C.) its on here 10pm to 12am (2hours) Week nights only. If its not on the radio near you.... you can listen to Kroq (106.7fm) online just go to the website and stream at 10pm Pacific time. (www.kroq.com). You may have to sign up to be a street team member to listen online, don't worry its free.

Anyway.... to answer your question....... it was very terrifying for me. I had blackouts frequently around the time i was molested... i can remember something good and positive and then all of a sudden my memory of what happens next just blacks out. It wasn't until recently that i can recall these incidents very vividly. I am also suffering from similar symptoms, the biggest one is the sexual dysfunction...this is destroying my life..... the tramua has triggered me to become a sex addict.... a true sex addict, not one of these people who hide their behavior behind this term, sex has taken over my life, i have no control, it has also affected what i turns me on, i also have P.T.S.D. (post tramatic stress disorder) which makes me get very crazy sometimes, which is kinda good since it makes me always defensive so i can't be hurt, but it (ptsd) is bad because i can't connect with anyone, i feel so alone.......

My attacker fled into mexico and so i couldn't make him pay for what he did to me.... its not really the actual tramua that bothers me ....its the damage he did to me, that will affect me for the rest of my life (which you only get to live once) i will never be the same.... i will never "KNOW" what it feels like to be "normal" and happy. See i am getting depressed now.

anyway....... file a report on him... (because sex offenders NEVER CAN BE REHIBLITATED!!!) Save someone else from the torment and pain you live with and will always live with forever... HE WILL ATTACK AGAIN!!!.... AND YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN STOP HIM AND SAVE SOMEONE ELSE FROM HAVING THE PROBLEMS AND PAIN AND SUFFERING YOU DEAL WITH. ONLY YOU CAN DO THAT!

Good luck.

*remember to choose best answer

Answer 8

dealt with something similar. Try keeping a dream journal. Also try hypnosis. Just be sure you're in a stable and safe emotional state before your dig too deep. Good luck.

Answer 9

yes. i was sexually abused by a step grandfather at the age of three and dont really remember anything. as well as one of my moms boyfriends molested me. most of my sexual abuse came as an adult by co-workers and boyfriends . good luck dealing with this. i pray counseling helps you it helped me. i still need to deal with the rest though

Answer 10

1