How do traumas resurface ?

Traumatic memories can resurface unpredictably, bringing with them an intense emotional burden.

When people have experienced traumatic events, they may find memories emerging years later. They often struggle to understand why and how these recollections occur.

As a defense mechanism, traumatic memory can repress certain memories to protect the person, but this protection is not everlasting.

Traumatic memory forms when the brain is subjected to extreme stress, such as life-threatening situations or physical violence. Under the weight of an immediate and uncontrollable threat, the brain adopts a protective strategy: it deactivates certain circuits, including the hippocampus, responsible for organizing memories, and allows elements of the trauma to fragment into isolated sensations (smells, sounds, feelings) rather than coherent memories. This process is comparable to a "circuit break" in the brain, which disconnects parts that might deepen the suffering. Yet, these memory fragments are still there, and sometimes, they attempt to resurface.

Children who have suffered abuse and women who have experienced violence often encounter these memories later, sometimes years after the initial events.

Traumatic memories often resurface without warning, triggered by everyday elements. A smell, a sound, or even a facial expression can reactivate buried trauma, leading to emotional flashbacks or physical symptoms. These unexpected returns are sometimes experienced as moments of deep confusion, where one feels profound discomfort without understanding why.

For children, these memories may appear in their play or drawings, a way for them to try to grasp what haunts them.

The resurgence of these memories is not necessarily a sign of weakness but rather an indication of a healing process attempting to activate. It is the moment when the brain, even unconsciously, decides to process the traumatic event in order to be free from it. However, this process is rarely possible without the help of professionals. Although some people may achieve a form of acceptance alone, most need guidance to welcome and understand these resurfacing memories.

In the face of trauma, it’s natural to want to withdraw, either out of fear of not being understood or to avoid reliving the pain. However, dealing with traumatic memories without support can be both painful and risky. A mental health professional specialized in trauma has the necessary tools to help the person explore these memories safely, without being overwhelmed.

Here’s why professional support is recommended:

- Listening and validation : A professional helps put words to the unutterable, allowing the person to break out of isolation and feel heard.

- Therapeutic techniques : Psychotherapy, methods...