Have you ever felt uncomfortable around someone without knowing why? Or experienced anxiety in a situation that seemed completely normal? Sometimes, our emotional reactions appear without a clear explanation. We may not remember a particular experience, but its emotional influence can still be present in our lives.
What Is Repression?
Repression is a defence mechanism in which the mind unconsciously keeps painful thoughts, feelings, or memories outside conscious awareness. It is not something we deliberately decide to forget. Instead, the mind attempts to protect us from emotional discomfort by making certain experiences difficult to access consciously.
This concept was introduced by Sigmund Freud, who believed that some uncomfortable experiences could be pushed out of awareness while continuing to influence our behaviour and emotions.
When We Forget the Experience but Feel Its Influence
Imagine a child who was frequently criticized whenever they made a mistake. As an adult, the person may not clearly remember those childhood experiences. However, whenever someone points out an error, they become extremely anxious, defensive, or upset.
They might think, “Why do I take criticism so personally?”
Sometimes, the reaction may be connected to earlier emotional experiences that shaped how they understand criticism, mistakes, or their own worth.
Similarly, someone who experienced rejection in a relationship may find it difficult to trust others in the future. They may not consciously think about the earlier relationship, but they might still feel uncomfortable when someone becomes emotionally close.
Why Does the Mind Do This?
The mind naturally tries to protect us from emotional pain. When an experience feels overwhelming, uncomfortable, or difficult to accept, psychological defence mechanisms may help us manage the distress.
Repression is one such mechanism. It may temporarily reduce awareness of painful experiences, but it does not necessarily mean that their emotional influence disappears.
Repression Is Not the Same as Suppression
There is an important difference between these two concepts.
- Repression is unconscious. We are not aware that we are keeping certain thoughts or memories outside our awareness.
- Suppression is conscious. We know that something is bothering us, but we deliberately choose not to think about it for the time being.
For example, deciding not to think about an upsetting conversation before an examination is suppression. Not consciously remembering a distressing experience, despite its possible influence on emotional reactions, is closer to the concept of repression.
Understanding Our Emotions
Sometimes, we spend a lot of time questioning our reactions without understanding their possible origins. We may say, “I don’t know why this affects me so much,” or “I don’t understand why I feel this way.”
Instead of judging ourselves for these feelings, we can become curious about them. Reflecting on our experiences, recognizing emotional patterns, and seeking professional support when needed can help us understand ourselves better.
A Thought to Remember
Not everything we experience remains clearly available in our memory. Yet our experiences can sometimes influence the way we think, feel, and respond to the world.
