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Thread: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

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    Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    I was considering getting a consultation appointment for hypnotherapy, but I still am unsure. The whole reason behind it is I think I may have been molested as a child and a hypnotherapist could possibly bring up those repressed memories.

    Has any undergone hypnotherapy? Or dealt with repressed memories that came up later on in your life?

    I always thought the reason for all of my problems was clinical depression. I was diagnosed after trying to OD, went through extensive counseling, and was put on meds. When I moved out, I didn't have the money to pay for my medication anymore so I stopped taking them because I felt capable of handling myself and just hoped I wouldn't want to kill myself again. Ends up, I'm fine without them. Better actually - I can actually experience emotions without the drugs numbing them away. At this point I was like, well if I really wasn't depressed, why was I so fucked up? So I did a little research and it appears that I have 90% of the typical behavioral symptoms of a victim of child abuse.

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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    I think it's a bunch of baloney and you should do some research on false memories. That would answer your questions, I think. If you want to do therapy, go see a psychiatrist or a psychologist and talk about the here and now. Are you currently depressed or not? If you're not, what circumstances were different back then? You could either count your blessings or go see a professional... but I strongly believe that leading questions will not help you. Would it be possible to talk to a family member about your questions instead?
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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    I would find a reputable psychologist trained in hypnotherapy (which is really guided meditation), and see if you can do some work with them. Anyone REPUTABLE and qualified, is not going to be creating or encouraging false memories. Also journaling drawing can be great for getting into your subconscious. There is a great book I want to recommend you read but am having a mental block so I'll look it up later and post again.

    I really feel for you, I have been living with the certainty that something happened to me as a child for years, but fears of 'making it up[' or 'being crazy' push those memories away whenever they get too close. It can be hell. I havent had the finances or the courage to pursue this sort of therapy, but would if I could.

    As for seeing a run of the mill hypnotherapist, I would be skeptical, even though I am sure there are great ones out there, there are so many sharks, flakes and rip offs that IO fear would take advantage....

    Luck.
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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    Yea, I've read some articles on the internet contradicting the whole repressed memory thing, but I've also seem some saying that it is a possibility. I really don't know. I keep thinking that my mind may just make something up from me wondering about this so much.

    I've done plenty of regular therapy over the years. But that was never about this particular topic so maybe I could do that. Hmn. And talk to my family? Noooo way. I wish I could, but I know I can't.

    ETA:
    Flick, that's exactly how I feel. I'm afraid that I'm just making it all up. And it's been crazy trying to find a "qualified" hypnotherapist since they all say they're qualified and accredited and have glorious testimonials. Blah. And if you remember that book name, let me know!

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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    I will dig it out when I get the kids to bed - I hide it in a chest because I have panic attacks when I start reading it, one day I will find my courage!! A lot of regular psychologists or psychiatrists are trained in hynotherapy, maybe start 'interviewing' that sort of therapist, try and find one who specialises in this area?
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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    Would you really want to know? If you're doing fine now, and are improving in life do you really want to deal with the downtime that is going to be required to work through the memories and depression and negative feelings that would be stirred up by finding that out, if it was in fact the truth?

    Unless it ties into the here and now and it is an obstacle to you moving beyond current negative behavior traits, I personally wouldn't want to know-- I'd rather make up my own reasons.

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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    ^^^ speaking personally you KNOW, you know something is wrong, it would be a relief to finally purge it and be free. Just because a memory is repressed doesnt mean it doesnt exist, its festering there. I assume this resonates as the truth for the OP or she would have laughed it off and dismissed it. Her intuition is leading her somewhere.
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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    ^ yeah, that makes sense. It just wasn't clear whether she was digging at something because she fit a list and was otherwise happy, or if she was digging because she's unhappy and by unearthing this thing she could finally move forward.

    Emotional Freedom Technique might also help-- kind of like the drawing, except you make a list of just random stuff that's bothering you, but you just list it-- you don't think about it, and then later on you go back and piece through what's bothering you and try to handle one emotion at a time.

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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    Be careful of false memories. There have been lots of cases where a therapist suggests memories (that really didn't happen) an d the client ends up worse off than when they started. You would need a very reputable therapise.

    why not just regular therapy tho? Hypnosis was largely replaced by psychotherapy many years ago when it was discovered that free association works just as well.

    I'm weary of hypnosis.
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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    The Courage To Heal, Laura Davis.

    Its a great book and I would recommend it to anyone who is dealing with this sort of thing (CSA).

    asianpixie, is there any little thing that you do remember? I have feelings in my body more than memories, and occasional blinding flashes of knowing which are quickly suppressed...
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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    Quote Originally Posted by Flick6 View Post
    ^^^ speaking personally you KNOW, you know something is wrong, it would be a relief to finally purge it and be free.
    that's exactly what I'm after.

    Quote Originally Posted by jaizaine View Post
    Be careful of false memories. There have been lots of cases where a therapist suggests memories (that really didn't happen) an d the client ends up worse off than when they started. You would need a very reputable therapise.

    why not just regular therapy tho? Hypnosis was largely replaced by psychotherapy many years ago when it was discovered that free association works just as well.
    The whole false memory syndrome thing scares me. And I don't think there really is much I can do about it except make sure that whoever I consult with is truly a professional, like you said.

    I was just thinking hypnosis because there are hypnotherapists that specialize in what I need. The regular therapy I had before was more of a place for me to vent. Maybe I ought to ask if they have anyone there for that sort of thing... I just haven't really had the courage to talk about this (besides here on the internet where I can hide behind a computer).

    Quote Originally Posted by Flick6 View Post
    The Courage To Heal, Laura Davis.

    Its a great book and I would recommend it to anyone who is dealing with this sort of thing (CSA).

    asianpixie, is there any little thing that you do remember? I have feelings in my body more than memories, and occasional blinding flashes of knowing which are quickly suppressed...
    Thanks, I'm going to order it right now!

    I remember bits and pieces of things. Like being a my brother's house and having him lay out a sheet on the carpet and light candles and laying with him there.

    What really makes me wonder is growing up knowing way too much about sex. I have always known what a penis looked like. (What's funny is when I really did see my first bf's dick, it was circumcised so I thought I had been wrong about what I was remembering. Because the penis I remembered was uncircumcised and looked different.) I remember playing with my Barbies and having them do sexual things to each other. I remember masturbating all the time from as young as 4. There is more, but I'd rather not post too much since this isn't entirely anonymous.

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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    ^^
    that thing about your brother that u remember does sound unusual.

    Did u ever bring your suspicions this up in therapy? You may not have had the right counsellor, sometimes u need to try a few before u get one that u really build a rapport with. Then u will feel safer talking about this and exploring what might have happened. I truly don't think u will need hypnosis for this. But it's always an option that u can discuss with a counsellor.

    Look for either a psychologist or psychiatrist. I dont think people who have done counselling courses are well trained enough for something like this. I do have a psychology degree behind me so I think I can say this.
    Quote Originally Posted by Corgan View Post
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    There are many stereotypes about the industry that I work in. Sometimes they can be true but human beings are very diverse creatures and cannot be pigeon-holed into one category.

    Some of the most effortlessly beautiful, kind, intelligent, successful, motivated, driven and ridiculously hilarious women that I have ever met have been dancers. I've met the best friends that I've ever had in this industry.

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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    Quote Originally Posted by asianpixie View Post
    ...I remember playing with my Barbies and having them do sexual things to each other. I remember masturbating all the time from as young as 4. There is more, but I'd rather not post too much since this isn't entirely anonymous.
    Neither of those things is really that unusual.
    Not downplaying how you feel, just thought you'd want to know that those aren't necessarily indicative of abuse.



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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    Quote Originally Posted by Sirona View Post
    Neither of those things is really that unusual.
    Not downplaying how you feel, just thought you'd want to know that those aren't necessarily indicative of abuse.
    They might be wrong, (I am not saying i would know) but most professionals would disagree with you there. Children do masturbate sometimes, but for a 4 year old to be FREQUENTLY masturbating is weird. And how would a young girl know what sex is to get her barbies to do it? I know as we got older the barbies get a bit raunchier, and I've seen my daughter (5) have her barbies kiss and cuddle, but they aren't having sex because she doesnt know what sex is. There is a difference I think.

    I agree with Jaiz (as some one who is trained as a counselor, lol, think I can say it too) a psychiatrist or psychologist ios a much better option than just a counselor, and you have to keep trying until you find a really good one for you.

    I encourage you to not worry to much about false memories asianpixie, unless you are considering building a court case (which you may want to do one day) just concentrate on finding out what is going on inside you. Who gives a fuck if anyone else believes it is real or not, you know what's inside you. (sorry for swearing, I get all funny about this topic, still trying to convince myself).
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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    There's some things I know happened that I don't want to relive. I think our mind helps us forget for a reason.

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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    I think it was proven quite some time ago, that kind of past regression hypnotherapy can cause false memories, not a genuine resurfacing of old memories.

    Hypnotherapy is more effective changing future thought patterns (such as to quit smoking).


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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    There's something my sister went through called "Primal Scream Hypnosis". You basically go backwards in time reliving important experiences. The hypnosis is complete and leads to therapy once you reach the moment of your birth, the "primal scream" as in the first time you cried.

    I would not recommend that or any other kind of hypnosis. It really traumatized my sister. Like others have said, it creates false memories and you can be very influenced by the hypnotist/therapist. Just go to regular counseling. You should be able to remember sexual abuse with some concentration, but you don't need hypnosis. I was molested at 7 and didn't remember until I was 14.

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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    Here. Don't do this!

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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    Quote Originally Posted by jaizaine View Post
    Did u ever bring your suspicions this up in therapy?

    Look for either a psychologist or psychiatrist. I dont think people who have done counselling courses are well trained enough for something like this. I do have a psychology degree behind me so I think I can say this.
    No, I was told from the start that I was clinically depressed and would be on meds for the rest of my life to treat it. So I just dismissed everything as being part of that depression. It didn't occur to me until recently that maybe I was depressed for a reason.

    Perhaps counselor was the wrong word. The therapists I have seen were LCSW's (Licensed Clinical Social Workers? Are they considered true psychologists?) and my psychiatrist just kinda prescribed me stuff.


    Quote Originally Posted by Sirona View Post
    Neither of those things is really that unusual.
    That's why those were the ones I mentioned. They aren't quite so embarrassing to admit as the others.


    Quote Originally Posted by Flick6 View Post
    I encourage you to not worry to much about false memories asianpixie, unless you are considering building a court case (which you may want to do one day) just concentrate on finding out what is going on inside you. Who gives a fuck if anyone else believes it is real or not, you know what's inside you. (sorry for swearing, I get all funny about this topic, still trying to convince myself).
    Legal action is the farthest thing from my mind at the moment. And yea, you're absolutely right (That's probably very good advice for you to consider too).

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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    Quote Originally Posted by greenidlady1 View Post
    There's some things I know happened that I don't want to relive. I think our mind helps us forget for a reason.
    I think so too. As a type of coping mechanism. But now I want to remember...


    Quote Originally Posted by Paris View Post
    I think it was proven quite some time ago, that kind of past regression hypnotherapy can cause false memories, not a genuine resurfacing of old memories.
    Yea, I think I'm going to read that book Flick suggested and try out some good old regular therapy first. And, as plus, that's covered by my health insurance - the hypnostuff isn't.


    Quote Originally Posted by ViolaStrings View Post
    You should be able to remember sexual abuse with some concentration, but you don't need hypnosis. I was molested at 7 and didn't remember until I was 14.
    If you don't mind talking about it, how did you remember? Did it just hit you all of a sudden that something happened?

    Quote Originally Posted by ViolaStrings View Post
    Eek. That sounds like some freaky shit.

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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    Quote Originally Posted by asianpixie View Post
    If you don't mind talking about it, how did you remember? Did it just hit you all of a sudden that something happened?
    It was gradual, a lot like what you're going through now. I realized something was wrong, and I had an inkling why. I would stick to regular therapy and focusing internally.

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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    I echo what everyone else said about false memories. But also what Fancy said. Do you REALLY want to know? I'm a survivor of sexual abuse as a child myself. And for a long time I dwelled and fixated on what did happen, what could have happened etc. I eventually just said to myself ..It's over..and It doesn't define who I am now. I chose to not learn anymore.

    Your brain is funny as it blocks out painful situations to aide you in being able to move forward in your life. I'm not saying you shouldn't be aware of things that happened in your life. But what purpose will it solve now? Trust me I've been there and once I started digging around I regretted it. Once you open the flood gates you can't close them. And you might not like the way it leaves you feeling.

    You survived it. And the person(s) that hurt you aren't going to apologize or possibly even own up to what they did. Even if they did...would it make it go away? no.

    Cherish your present life and your future and be glad that you aren't subjected to the abuse anymore.
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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    I think repressed memories are our minds way of dealing with trauma, but when that shit starts leaking out then it is time to deal with it and clear it a way. Otherwise it can fuck with a lot of aspects of your life... your sex life your self esteem your basic belief in the goodness of humanity.

    Asianpixie, finding a good therapist (psychologist psychiatrist or whatever) is kind of like finding a good boyfriend, you just have to keep gong until you find someone who works for you. My biggest problem is I have yet to find one who is good for me in my price range... a pychiatrist who just prescribes drugs doesnt rank very highly n my books,but there are some out there that believe in talking therapy, and a few of them use hypnosis as a part of their tool bag of tricks to help you work thrugh things. It really isnt all hocus pocus, and same goes with psychologists.

    In australia there is a website that you can go to, type in what you are looking for in a psych and they match you up with someone local to you, and send you a few names. a good one would be happy to email with you, or speask on the phone, and talk about their methods of therapy, maybe try doing that until you find one that clicks...

    And lol, I am much better at knowing what to do than doing it.
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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    So I bought the book. I made it maybe a third of the way through.

    There is an excerpt written by a survivor who couldn't remember her experience and describes how she began her healing below:

    "I obsessed for about a year on trying to remember, and then I got tired of sitting around talking about what I couldn't remember. I thought, 'All right, let's act as if." It's like you come home and your home has been robbed and everything has been thrown in the middle of the room... You know somebody robbed you, but you're never going to know who. So what are you going to do? Sit there and try to figure it out while your stuff lies around? No, you start to clean it up. You put bars on the windows. You assume somebody was there. Somebody could come along and say, 'Now how do you know someone was there?' You don't know..." (The Courage to Heal by Laura Davis)

    This one story has helped me sooooo much! It's not doing me any good just playing a game of whodunnit, all I can do is "clean up" the damage that has been left behind. Whatever may have or may not have happened - what is most important is what is happening now in my life and taking care of myself now.

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    Default Re: Hypnotherapy for Repressed Memories of Child Abuse?

    I already have dreams of certain things happening, and blurry memories. Plus my whore of a sister who is ten years my senior left me some drunk voicemail a few years ago about how I used to like my dad touching me as a child. I don't know if this is true or not, but I think I'm happier not knowing. I wouldn't want to totally remember stuff and then have to deal with it. Life is enough.

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