Dealing with PTSD and Memory Loss: How to Fill in the Gaps?

Hi so I'm 18 years old and I have PTSD. I think it's considered C-PTSD since I've have multiple traumatic events happen in childhood. Speaking of childhood, I have gaps in memory of my childhood. My therapist wants me to make a timeline about my childhood so maybe I can fill in some gaps. I'm afraid that I'll remember something bad about my childhood since memory-loss is a big sign of some big trauma in childhood. I don't know if I want to remember, but my therapist says if I try to and find something out it might help me heal and move on. Besides making a timeline of my childhood, what would be some other method of trying to fill the gaps in my memory?

Your answer

breadbored

2y ago

Yeah that was the first step for me too, a timeline. I never was good at that and as hard as I try, I still feel like my memory is mixed up and missing so much, but it's been years and I'm afraid now of creating false memories in the effort

anemone

2y ago

dont push yourself too hard if youre not ready - in my case dealing with the whole thing with my dad and my bpd mom constantly meant i couldnt dive into the childhood trauma yet since they were the biggest source of trauma... if you rush too hard into it youre likely to retraumatise yourself or make things worse. i focused on dbt and talk therapy while i was still with them to try and make the situation easier to deal with, and now that im out im already being to dive more into those memories without it making me so terrified

Kadair

2y ago

I myself also had several traumatic events happen as well. I can relate know the blocked memories. I agree that remembering these memories is scary but I believe you should do it in your own time. My therapist does not push this issue. I have had a few memories pop up and really would have not wanted to remember them! But it is helping to move on. So, it is good to try and remember them but I would say in your own time.

tuffy1974

2y ago

I have suffered from a severe traumatic events that started at 13 yrs old I had alot of memory loss but my therapist has been really helping rebuild my memory and how to deal with my trauma it's called baby steps just take your time it can take many years to heal it's called recovery and I go to 2 different groups one is called CBT and the other is DBT there both dealing with emotions and it's for PTSD and all kinds of mental illnesses

SJP

2y ago

I focused on emotions and that brought back some of my memories. I have C-PTSD.

D3monicRat

2y ago

I'll try to do that

MLee

2y ago

I have the same exact problem and am currently working on my dissociative amnesia, so I don't have any advice yet, but I am here if you need someone to talk to about it, I know gaps in childhood memory can be scary sometimes

D3monicRat

2y ago

thank you ❤️

Missallie

2y ago

I think time is a really important thing. I’ve struggled w memory loss as well but my therapist really helped me by constantly bringing it up. She mentioned it over the corse of sessions and helped me talk about it overall. Starting small really helped me.

D3monicRat

2y ago

thank you I appreciate it. I'll try to just keep thinking back dedicate at least like an hour a day to it

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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