Repressed memories, depression and substance use disorder : a pastoral narrative approach

Abstract

Many individuals who have experienced childhood trauma repress memories of the experience. They block it from their consciousness. As they grow older, their mind does not recall the event and they have no recollection of the experience. However, the traumatic experience does remain part of the individual’s life. It is engraved in the body and subconscious mind. This can result in the person reacting to triggers, but not being able to explain the reaction. This study aims to investigate the effects of childhood trauma, repression of the experience or experiences, and mental disorders that can be one of the consequences. The primary mental aspects that this study investigates are dissociation, depression, depersonalization-derealization and dissociative identity disorder. A response to such problems is often self-medication. Therefore, the study also explores the harmful effects of some forms of self-medication on the brain, as well as on primary areas of the individual’s life and the body that are significantly affected. A pastoral approach for guiding individuals with mental struggles and, in certain cases, also self-medication, is developed in the study. This is done by means of a combination of Pastoral Narrative Counselling and Daniel Siegel’s Wheel of Awareness meditation practice. In this way the pastoral counsellor and counselee can embark on the road to holistic healing together.