Traumatic memory repression.

[andy_jgs]

          The idea of reprocessing trauma memories to bring about recovery sounds dangerous to me. Would dredging up repressed memories be helpful in the resolution/healing process of people suffering from, but not limited to PTSD?
          I am just starting to study the process of memory repression, so I do not have a good grasp of the subject yet. If anyone has any great pearls of wisdom on this topic I would happy to hear (read) them.

[Psyche]

Well, I would say that it probably really depends. While there are all sorts of studies of what may or may not be helpful for certain things, or general trends, I think just the specifics of a situation may call for different things. If someone were to focus too much on some past trauma when they weren't ready it may bring them down even further. It could just more validate their self image and limits. But then if they were in the right place, where they have some strength and are able to handle it, it may help them move on, to be able to accept and move past whatever it is that happened.

Honestly from what I have seen, psychology doesn't really have all the answers. There are many theories about how to handle xyz but none have absolute success. It just seems people are very complicated, and each person is different, each situation different. What may work well for someone may work bad for another. Timing is all very important, and all these other factors in someone's life and psyche that are influencing whatever the situation is play a part.