Repressed memories without emotion?

Started by GoSlash27, September 02, 2025, 04:57:09 PM

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GoSlash27

 All,
 I've been digging around the events surrounding my early childhood and I stumbled across an odd memory; A vivid memory of our babysitter abusing us.
 Every other unlocked repressed memory I've experienced came with a flood of emotion, this one came with nothing.  :Idunno:
 I'm not sure I can trust it because of that.
 I've always sworn that while we *were* abused, I had no recollection of it. But focusing on events surrounding that time, listening to period songs/ TV show themes, etc... I realized that I actually *did* recall it perfectly well. I knew it the whole time.
 Given the fact that I remember it with perfect clarity but I don't "feel" it... What are the odds that this is a false memory? How common is this phenomenon?

Thanks,
Slashy

GoSlash27

So I did some research on this and answered my own question.
 This is called "dissociative semantic disintegration". It's distinctly different from a repressed memory.
 In a repressed memory, the pathway to access it is disrupted, but may be restored some other way. A song, a smell, etc. It suddenly springs back into being, and when you remember it, it's like you're experiencing it with all of the emotions of the moment.
 In the case of "dissociative semantic disintegration", the episodic memory itself is intact and freely accessible, it's just the *context* of the experience that is gone. This specific example of abuse wasn't filed under "abuse", just as my sister wasn't filed under "sister".
 
 So I've just learned that there's more than one way for my subconscious to hide memories from me.

 Best,
-Slashy