What did I supress the rape for this long?!

You are growing into maturity now, and can handle it. The reason we wall things off is so that we can protect our minds from the onslaught of bad emotions that might be debilitating. Nobody can 'tell' what has happened to you generally speaking. It is okay, and probably even healthy this has come forward now. It means you are healthy enough to deal with it. This is the thing... deal with it. Grieve. Do what you must.. but don't stay in that moment. It happened, it was bad. But it doesn't diminish you as a person or change anything about what you can achieve in your life. So it is okay that it was repressed, and it is okay that it has resurfaced now. Just be objective. It was a long time ago, when you were barely more than a child. You are an adult now, and you are mature. Nothing that a scumbag did to assault you all those years ago should really be allowed to influence you in a negative way now. It wasn't your fault then, and it isn't now. Let the feelings come in, knowing they are just memories and can't harm you.. analyze them, deal with them, and let them go. The future is brighter by far.Health Question & Answer

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Did you suppress this or is this a false memory. Did a therapist suggest this in any way. There has been controversy over this for many years.Health Question & Answer

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Only you can answer that question.Health Question & Answer

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People can't tell that you are a victim unless you tell them. So if you don't want them to know than don't tell them.Health Question & Answer

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Post traumatic stress is my guess.
one symptom is blocking out the event.Health Question & Answer

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A well trained therapist may question to themselves whether or not a person has suppressed certain issues form their past. They would not bring it up or even ask you about the possibility of something like this. That would leave a subliminal possibility in your mind and could possibly be cause for "false memories". If you brought up the possibility yourself they would be very careful with their words not to be leading. People can and do repress traumatic experiences from their past. It is a coping mechanism. A way of dealing with such a very difficult situation by not having to deal with it at all. With no conscious memory of the incident you essentially exist as though nothing ever happened. It can slowly interfere with your life later on when you are older and the blocked memories start to eventually come closer to the surface. Since you are older you would have better coping skills or resources to deal with the situation. Certain incidents in your life may begin to trigger past memories or vague thoughts of the past.Health Question & Answer

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Your brain keeps emotions in. Like if a child was molested/raped when they were younger, they might be an alcoholic or drug adict when they are older. The brain needs something in order to supress the thoughts. So, yes. It is very possible that your body is now having an effect on all the years that it supressed this thought. Anything could have caused it to come back. Maybe you encountered something/saw something/heard something, without realizing it, that made your brain go back to the memory of rape. Maybe the years of keeping it in and forgetting about it was harmful to you.

People cant just tell by talking to you once, however certain problems, such as drug abuse, depression, or multiple personality disorder, can be a result from childhood memories. So a psychiatrist could make that one of the options.Health Question & Answer

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I suppressed it for years. Lately, I have been having anxiety attacks. It happened to me when I was 14. My fiance is very helpful and encouraging- I feel terrible sometimes for hurting him when I just can't help but feel the way I do. I think stress causes it to come back, but I'm not really sure. I'm still looking for answers in a way, but in another way I'm really glad that part of my life is over. Try to find someone you trust to be with you at this time, it will help, I promise. I count myself lucky that that was the only bad experience I ever had, I met my fiance about half a year after and we've been together since. We're finally engaged and I couldn't be happier. He was understanding and loving the whole time I told him about what happened. I hope you find someone who will do that for you. best of luckHealth Question & Answer

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Last year I was raped, by someone I though was a friend. I told him to stop It hurt so BAD there was so much blood, I couldnt bear the pain. i didnt do anything about it. I kept silent. Eventually the guy came and broke into my house 3 times he got arrested and and was given a diversion, meaning he didnt get any charges except criminal damage to property. I think its that we TRY to shut it out, dont talk about our feelings enough, dont let ourselves break down. And it creeps up on us. Sounds stupid but its like anything, just like if we didnt pay our bills eventually they would catch up on us, if we didnt discipline our children, they would be out of control and it would effect us in the long wrong. It wasnt your fault, and blocking it out is normal. Its just time for your to come to terms to let yourself let it ALL out, and that perfectly ok.Health Question & Answer

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