Well, a caring family, perhaps slightly smothering (which has probably made me overly sensitive in some ways) but otherwise treated very well. No topsy turviness, no serious issues, no shock events. Just good old regular Joe living. I think that's pretty normal.
Do you ever worry that you have repressed memories?
- Thread starter jp_bl_68
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Well, a caring family, perhaps slightly smothering (which has probably made me overly sensitive in some ways) but otherwise treated very well. No topsy turviness, no serious issues, no shock events. Just good old regular Joe living. I think that's pretty normal.
Soldato
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If you can't remember much about early childhood it was probably a happy one. If there are large memory gaps of your later childhood & things weren't all hunky dory then its best to talk about what you do remember to help bring the rest out into the open, share it with someone you trust. Simply acknowledging ones past & accepting it is very theraputic.
If you don't mind me asking, do they insist on talking about it or is it something they'd rather leave buried (assuming some repressed memory exists) so long as they don't believe it's causing you any serious problems?
I was being slightly rhetorical, but that seems as good a definition of normal as I have ever heard.
My childhood was not like that, but the few events I do remember are not something I really want to. There are happy memories also, but they have little to do with my parents and revolve around my Gran and the Elder of my mothers reservation who taught me all sorts of cool stuff when I was 14 and 15.
I think that the search for 'family' is what led me to join up rather than pursue an academic career, and for that it was a positive thing I suppose. I came to terms with my upbringing a long time ago and so I can't really understand how some people can blame their own problems on their childhood, but I empathise with them and accept that people are different and in some ways I was one of the lucky ones.
Soldato
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Glad it is helping. Have you any siblings?
Try and get some sleep you will feel better for it.
Normal is relative, you cannot define that. What Nitefly is describing is a cultural ideal. If that is your relatively defined definition of normal then you're lucky. For many - even in our own country - it remains but an ideal.
I only know too well just how far from 'normal' things can get, as I have said of my own childhood.
My family life now is very stable and probably fits into Nitefly's description pretty well. I would go so far as to say it is ideal and I except that 'normal' is entirely relative.
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I don't worry I'm glad there suppressed.
I used to get so wasted I'd ride munters for my own amusment.
I'm glad I've suppressed some of those traumatic memories.
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You weren't there man ! you don't know !
Soldato
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I have enough horrible memories to know i don't have any repressed. I do not repress well.
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I've always thought the whole 'repressed' memory thing has been warped a bit too much thanks to tv etc. I don't think there are that many people who have gone through events such that they're repressed, and years later need erm...unrepressing (!?!).
Chances are most people forget their childhood because it was really that uneventful compared to later years.
Or the events which you experienced aren't really that important. I don't have memories of entire holidays but have memories earlier than them. For example, I remember lots of things from my old house when I was 3 coming onto 4. Yet nothing about a trip to India when I was 6, which was strange because apparently I got a full blown fever (not what people use to skip work in this country).
Chances are most people forget their childhood because it was really that uneventful compared to later years.
Or the events which you experienced aren't really that important. I don't have memories of entire holidays but have memories earlier than them. For example, I remember lots of things from my old house when I was 3 coming onto 4. Yet nothing about a trip to India when I was 6, which was strange because apparently I got a full blown fever (not what people use to skip work in this country).
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I know I have. Some of my family talk about times that I do not remember for various reasons. Worst thing is that some of those memories are actually good ones (so it sounds), just they are tagged in with the others.
Considered therapy of some sort a few times, not sure I want to 'go there' though at this time in my life!
That sounds very familiar, however for me its non existent with my dad (he has not seen either of my children, oldest is 6 this year) and very strained with my mother (if she didnt live walking distance then we would rarely see each other and even when we do its very hard). I don't let it bother me, like you, as I have my own family
Soldato
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Have you ever spoken to your brothers or any family about your feelings? Anxiety included.
It can be very hard to just talk about anxiety and how it is affecting you. How long have you had these feelings of that something bad has happened to you in you childhood?
Anxiety can be a nightmare, it can make you think all kinds of things. From De-personalisation to even making you believe there is something physically wrong with you.
I think you should mention these thoughts to your GP in your next visit.
Gonna go sleep now though mate.. take it easy, some sleep will do you good.
Not at all bud, most of them approach the subject while looking at other problems and for diagnosis and then most try and ask questions as to why you think it could be. But none will try and get deeper like they do in American style psychiatry. Most told me there was specialists that deal specifically with repressed memory.
I've briefly touched upon the anxiety but not the memories, or lack there of. Most of my conversations with them remain superficial.
On and off for years now, the best part of a decade I'd say. But I suppose the anxiety has existed for at least that long.
I should've mentioned it this morning but whenever I'm there I always feel like I should get in and out as quickly as I can to let the doctor deal with someone who really needs his help. Oh well, next time.
You've helped put this into perspective. I'm usually a little better at spotting and rationalising the wild thoughts. I'm glad you weighed in on this. Thank you. Good night.
No one's judging you. If it's interferring with your ability to lead a 'normal' fulfilling life, then get back to the doctor and have it out. No "Oh well, next time."s. You are someone who really needs his help, so go and get it.
Anxiety is a bitch, trust me I know.
Anxiety is a bitch, trust me I know.