Examining The Empathy Trap Book 8

This is one post in a series about The Empathy Trap Book by Dr Jane McGregor and Tim McGregor. Unless stated otherwise all quotes used here are from that book. It is recommended that the series be read in order from the first post on. 

Next the authors took on dealing with traumatic memories. Survivors of cultic abuse, abusive relationships and childhood abuse and neglect of a traumatic nature in my opinion have enough in common to be described as trauma survivors. The degree and exact details vary from person to person and we each have a unique experience and unique issues.

The topic of dealing with traumatic memories is a difficult one because often the memories accompany other issues that make recovering or integrating them difficult. If they were not difficult to recover and integrate they would not be traumatic, some experts might say. The memories may prompt unpleasant emotions and thoughts and be unpleasant to re-experience. 

I am going to include recommendations from the authors with the caveat that they recommend these things and in many cases I don't have the education to recommend for or against these practices, so I am sharing their information without necessarily agreeing. It is for your own consideration and judgement.

 "Dealing with traumatic memories

Depression, severe anxiety and fear commonly stem from traumatic memories. People distressed by such memories may be constantly reliving them through nightmares or flashbacks, and may withdraw from their family or social circle in order to avoid exposing themselves to reminders of those memories. They may become physically aggressive, argumentative or moody, causing difficulties in relationships with their family, spouse or partner, and children. Sometimes they resort to substance abuse, drugs or alcohol in order to deal with the anxiety. If symptoms of apathy, impulsive behavior, sleeplessness or irritability persist, the person may want to discuss this with his or her family doctor and to seek the help of a psychotherapist.

The management of traumatic memories is important when treating PTSD. Traumatic memories are stressful and can emotionally overwhelm a person's existing coping mechanisms. When simple objects such as a photograph, or events such as a birthday party, evoke traumatic memories, people often try to remove the unwanted memory from their minds in order to proceed with life, but this approach usually has only limited success. Over time the frequency of these triggers or memory joggers diminishes for most people, and for some the number of intrusive memories diminishes rapidly as the person adjusts to the situation. For others, however, they may continue for decades and interfere with the person's mental, physical and social well-being."

 (page 77-78)

 "Pharmacological methods for erasing traumatic memories are currently being researched, although this raises ethical concerns. The use of drugs to blunt the impact of traumatic memories treats human emotional reactions to life events as a medical issue, which may not necessarily be a good thing and may expose individuals to unnecessary risk. If drug treatments are administered unnecessarily - when for example a person could learn to cope without drugs - the person may needlessly be exposed to side effects. And the loss of painful memories may actually end up causing more harm than good. Painful, frightening or even traumatic memories can serve to teach us to avoid certain situations or experiences. By removing those memories their function in warning and protecting individuals may be lost." (page 78-79)

 "Individuals with PTSD can also become ill with depression. Depression can be treated either with antidepressant medication, or with talking treatments such as counselling or psychotherapy. It is important in such cases, when the symptoms ascribed to PTSD persist, to speak about them openly with someone and get professional help. The important message to take from all this is that by reaching out for support, seeking medical advice and treatment, and developing new coping skills, individuals can at the very least learn to manage effectively the symptoms of PTSD and better still, overcome the problem in time." (page 79)