Has anyone been abused and didnt remember it till years later?

Question

What helped you remember?

Answer 1

This is a very difficult question . Yes, it is common problem that a lot of people experience. Some of the readers will give you garbage, but try not to let it run over you. I have heard of so many people that have been abused and have difficulty remembering it. Some incidents play themselves out in other ways. I had a friend in the hospital for having several personalities, when she was being sexually and mentally abused she would go into herself and become the other person in order to exist. Her depression was severe and it took time to get around to "remember the abuse by her father" Therapy sessions are so helpful. There are so many techniques that would help. It seems by your question you need to have intense therapy, perhaps going into the hospital, would be one of many things. The therapist is especially caring and considerate. You didnt suggest as to whether you are taking medications for depressants or anxiety medicines. I realise that this type of help is expensive. There are hospitals that will treat you whether you can pay or not. Please call 911, they can get you the help that you need by referring you to a crisis worker. To get back to your main question- sometime you may spell a certain smell that brings you back to the time of abuse, you might hear someone say somthing that brings awareness of the abuse, or hearing someone talk personnally of their experience, or even watching a t.v. show, or a voice, or not being able to have a good relationship, then usually will bring about hard to deal with relationship. I truly hope that my answer finds you with some understanding.

Answer 2

The issue of repressed memories has been a big controversy amongst psychologists. Some think that memories can be repressed and reserface as much as 50 years later. Other psychologists believe that repressed memories from childhood can be altered and influenced by the media, the child's imagination and by suggestions planted in a patient's head by therapists trying to find answers. They believe that these "altered memories" can't be completely trusted.

To my knowledge I have never been abused, but I do believe in accurate repressed memories. I have had three heart surgery procedures in the past 5 years. Open heart surgery is emotionally taxing. At first I remembered nothing about the day I woke up from each surgery. But now, even 3 years after my last one, I have occasional brief memories. Sometimes they are triggered by a sound or a light or the tone of someone's voice; but all of the sudden I have a brief memory of something that was said or done to me while I was in the hospital. It's an odd sensation.

Answer 3

Huh....well, I once read this book (auto-biography) about a guy with D.I.D. (Dissossciative Identity Disorder) or better known as "Multiple Personalities". It was called "First Person Plural". The whole thing was about his experiences with DID. He was well into middle-age when his first multiple personality emerged...and then through a long process with therapy and the such, TONS of other personalities emerged. He had been sexually abused as a child by both his mother and his grandmother, and didn't remember it at all prior to the emergence of his personalities. It's an interesting read.

Unfortunately, it's all I know on the subject. My guess is that the triggers for remembering the abuse are extremely random and depedent on the person, like smelling a specific fragrance assossciated with the abuse years later.

Answer 4

I wasn't abused but I did something I was gravely ashamed about at age 7 and hid it (to great regret 30+ years later). At age 19 I was in a group setting, watching a movie or tv, and like a bolt of lightning the memory struck me. In a severe mental panic I stuffed it (again). I shake my head as I type this at the regret of stuffing it or for not at least talking it out sometime back then. For the rest of my life anger and fear has directed my life and I arrived NOWHERE.

Answer 5

it is not uncommon for people who are being abused to block out memories of the abuse. the human mind uses this as a mechanism with which to cope with the situation...any number of things can trigger flashbacks or little snippets of memory to come back later on in your life; perhaps when you are no longer in any danger. the best thing you can do for yourself is to get involved in some sort of counseling either group or one on one. there are more than likely resources in your area if you have a need for some type of financial assistance. but you need counseling!!!
good luck~

Answer 6

These answers are all over the place! Yes, hypnotherapy can put false ideas... And you most certainly can forget the past.

Thing is the past will still come out. In your actions, in your life, in your responses.

How mine went... I went years of zero recall until my daughter was born and then I had this weird dreamlike phase that was unreal but so emotional. My mother and sister confirmed it. That was how I knew it was not false as my family confirmed. I am still at a blank at most of the time and my family says be happy I do not recall and will not give info. More has come over the past 14 yeas in blurbs. As I pull over to vomit as something triggers me. I still recall little compared to the whole picture.

You cannot force it and you do not want to. Your mind allows release as it is capable. I hit a phase I wanted it all to hide as if never happened, then want it to just come the hell out. Now I am at understanding my mind protects me. And it will let in what I am capable of coping with. Do not try to force as it is a mistake, your mind shuts things down for reason and forcing it like hypnosis can bring on false recalls. Let your mind do what it was built to, protect you. It all will come out in time at a pace you can handle.

Answer 7

Yes, me too. I remember now that my brother- I think!!! hit me once. OK maybe I am wrong. Maybe it was my sister who did it. Oh well!! I think I forget already what I just remember.

Actually, I am try to not dwell on bad things that happened to me from the past. However, I am thank God for bad experience because I can learn from them. I think you should see or talk with a professional someone for help if your abused in the past is overwhelming or overpowering in effect of your strength today.

Answer 8

for me I remember being abused but theres also other times I dont remember, they say that if you get a pinch on the back of your head at the left side it means repressed memories I think it only happens when your under the infulence of weed tho

Answer 9

The memories mostly rose on their own following a move to urban from very rural. The higher the stress level was, the more bothered by the horrendous memories.

(We know these are factual memories. Another victim had this guy put into prison for what he did to her)

Answer 10

this is a type of dissociative disorder. some people can not handle traumatizing events in their lives; they are too painful and therefore their mind automatically represses the memory. it is aa self defense mechanism. you need intense therapy or maybe hypotism at least. and hypnotism isnt like you are getting sleep, just so you know. good luck.