One of the more frequent inquiries I receive as a hypnotherapist involves people wanting to uncover “repressed memories.” The idea that hypnosis can unlock forgotten or buried memories is a concept that fascinates many. However, repressed memories are a controversial topic, especially when it comes to using hypnosis as a tool for recovery. Memory is complex and subjective, and relying on hypnosis to unearth repressed memories can sometimes be misleading and even harmful.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how memory works, the types of memory, the risks of using hypnosis to recover repressed memories, and why this practice may not be the simple solution some hope it to be.
Memory is Not a Static Record
Many think of memory as a precise recording of past events, but this is far from accurate. Memory is highly subjective and malleable. Each time we recall an event, the act of remembering can alter the memory itself. Imagine a family dinner where everyone recalls the same story differently—memory is reconstructed rather than replayed like a tape.
This concept is illustrated by the allegory of the blind men and the elephant, where each man touches a different part of the animal and, based on his limited experience, guesses it to be something entirely different—a tree, a rope, or a wall—leading each to a unique and incomplete conclusion about what they are encountering. Memory works similarly: it’s piecemeal, shaped by individual perception, and relying on memory alone, especially under hypnosis, may not always yield an accurate representation of events.
Different Types of Memory: Implicit vs. Explicit
To understand the limitations of hypnosis for memory retrieval, it’s crucial to differentiate between two types of memory: explicit and implicit.
Explicit memory refers to conscious memories, such as facts or events you can recall verbally, like a recent vacation.
Implicit memory is unconscious and influences behavior, such as emotional responses or body memory. For example, you might flinch at a loud sound without consciously recalling the event that caused your reaction.
In trauma, implicit memory often plays a larger role. Someone may not consciously remember a traumatic event, but their body might hold the memory through symptoms like anxiety or tension. While hypnosis can help access these body memories, it’s important to approach with caution.
The Danger of Creating False Memories
One significant risk of using hypnosis for recovering repressed memories is the potential to create false memories. This is especially likely when a therapist asks leading questions or when a client is determined to uncover a specific type of memory, such as childhood trauma. Under hypnosis, and in everyday life, the human mind can create new memories based on suggestion, not actual events.
In the 1980s, several court cases involved allegations of abuse based on memories recovered through hypnosis, which were later found to be false. This led to legal changes that barred witnesses who had undergone hypnotherapy from testifying in trials, due to the risk of distorted recollections.
The potential for suggestion underscores why hypnosis should not be used as a primary tool for memory recovery, particularly in legal or emotionally charged contexts.
Why Traumatic Memories Are Often Unavailable
People seeking to recover repressed memories, especially of traumatic events, often wonder why they can’t remember. Traumatic memories are often stored differently from ordinary memories. If an individual was very young or in a dissociated state during a traumatic event, their brain may have encoded the memory in a fragmented way.
Even when these memories exist, a person may not have the psychological resources to process them. Recalling a traumatic event too soon can overwhelm someone emotionally. In therapy, memories may surface when the person has the necessary support and emotional resilience.
A paradox of memory recall, even with hypnosis, is that the harder someone tries to remember something, the more elusive it becomes. Those seeking control over their subconscious might find themselves frustrated, as memory recall cannot be forced or controlled.
The Search for a Single Cause: A Common Trap
Some individuals suspect that a hidden, traumatic memory is the root cause of their current struggles, such as anxiety or depression. However, searching for a single, defining event can oversimplify the complexity of their life experiences. Childhood environments, relationships, and other factors also shape how a person feels and functions. By focusing too narrowly on finding a repressed memory, other important influences might be overlooked.
This desire to “find and fix” the root cause comes from psychoanalytic traditions, but healing is rarely that simple. Over-intellectualizing or an obsession with the past can create more dissociation from the body and its needs in the present, ultimately reinforcing patterns of nervous system dysregulation.
Healing Beyond Memory Recall
Healing from trauma doesn’t necessarily require uncovering a repressed memory. Somatic experiencing and other body-based therapies can help process body memories without needing explicit recall. For those dealing with symptoms related to past events, focusing on reconnecting with the body, managing present-day symptoms, and cultivating emotional resilience can be just as effective, if not more so, than trying to recall specific memories.
In Conclusion
While hypnosis can be a helpful therapeutic tool, recovering repressed memories is not a straightforward or guaranteed process. Memory is fluid, subjective, and prone to distortion, and forcing recall can lead to the creation of false memories. Those seeking to address unresolved trauma or emotional pain are encouraged to explore holistic approaches like Somatic Experiencing, which can help process trauma without needing explicit recall. Healing is not always about remembering; it’s about finding safety, connection, and balance in the present.
