12 Repression Psychology Examples: How It Impacts Relationships

Have you ever forgotten a bad memory or pushed a painful thought to the back of your mind? That’s called repression. It’s like our brain’s way of saying, “This is too hard to think about right now.” 

While this might help us feel better at the moment, repression psychology can sometimes mess with our relationships in ways we don’t even realize. Imagine not knowing why you’re upset with someone, only to find out it’s because of something you’ve forgotten from the past! 

By looking at the examples of how repression works in our minds, we’ll explore how these hidden feelings can shape our connections with others. It’s like a detective story, but the mystery is inside our own heads! Let’s understand this better.

What is repression?

Repression is like our brain’s “forget button” for uncomfortable or painful memories and feelings. Imagine something bad happens, and instead of thinking about it all the time, your brain hides it away so you can move on. It’s a way to protect ourselves from hurtful thoughts. 

But sometimes, even if we “forget” these things, they can still affect our feelings and actions without us knowing. It’s like having a toy hidden under your bed; even if you can’t see it, it’s still there. 

Repression psychology helps us cope, but it’s important to remember that hidden feelings can still influence us.

How does repression work?

What is repression defense mechanism? Repression is our brain’s tool for hiding painful memories or feelings. While it helps us cope, these hidden thoughts can still influence our actions and emotions, sometimes without us realizing it.

• When we experience a distressing or traumatic event, our brain immediately tries to protect us, causing repression psychology.
• Acting as a defense mechanism, our mind pushes this memory into the background, making it harder to recall.
• Consequently, we might “forget” or not consciously dwell on that particular event or feeling.
• Even though it’s hidden, this repressed memory can still influence our daily emotions and behaviors.
• Over time, certain triggers or situations might cause these memories to resurface unexpectedly.
• Some repressed memories remain buried for a lifetime, never coming to the forefront.
• Repression can impact our relationships, as hidden feelings might cause unexplained reactions.
• Recognizing and understanding repression can be key to emotional healing and growth.
• Therapy or counseling can help individuals confront and process these repressed memories.
• While repression psychology serves as a coping mechanism, it’s essential to address its long-term effects on our well-being.

What are the different types of repression?

Here are the 8 main types of repression in psychology along with their detailed examples

1. Primary repression

Primary repression refers to the unconscious blocking of desires, feelings, or memories that are not yet part of conscious awareness. This type of repression is a fundamental mechanism in the formation of the unconscious mind. 

Psychology repression example: A person might develop an irrational fear of water without knowing it’s because they nearly drowned as a toddler.

2. Secondary repression

Secondary repression deals with thoughts or feelings that were once conscious but have been pushed into the unconscious. This is often a defense mechanism to avoid painful or unacceptable thoughts. So, what is an example of repression in psychology?

Repression in psychology example: An individual who was bullied in school might forget the specific incidents but still feel anxious in social situations.

3. Denial

Denial is a form of repression where a person refuses to accept reality or the truth of a situation. It’s a defense mechanism that helps individuals cope with distressing events by pretending they didn’t happen or minimizing their impact.

Denial psychology definition example: After a p, a person might act as if they’re still in a relationship, refusing to acknowledge the end.

4. Suppression

While repression is unconscious, suppression is a conscious effort to hide or push away distressing thoughts, feelings, or memories. People use suppression as a temporary solution, hoping that with time, the distressing emotion or memory will fade.

Repression definition psychology example: A student might consciously choose not to think about a bad grade to focus on an upcoming exam.

5. Reaction formation

What is reaction formation in psychology example? Reaction formation is a defense mechanism where a person behaves in a way opposite to their genuine feelings to hide or repress those feelings. This is often seen in cases where expressing true emotion might be socially unacceptable.

Example: A person who harbors hostile feelings towards a colleague might go out of their way to be overly friendly and complimentary to them.

6. Intellectualization

By doing this, individuals can avoid confronting the emotional distress linked to the event.

Example: After a traumatic accident, a person might immerse themselves in understanding the physics of how the accident occurred, avoiding the emotional trauma associated with it.

7. Rationalization

Rationalization is a defense mechanism where an individual creates logical but false reasons for their behaviors, decisions, or feelings. This helps them justify actions or feelings that might otherwise be unacceptable.

Example: A person who doesn’t get a job might convince themselves they didn’t want it anyway, citing reasons like long commute times or low pay, even if these weren’t concerns initially.

8. Sublimation

This transformation helps individuals channel their energy in a productive manner.

Example: Someone with aggressive tendencies might take up a sport like boxing to express and manage their aggression in a controlled environment.

Is repression bad? 

Repression, like other defense mechanisms, is not inherently bad. It serves the purpose of helping individuals cope with traumatic events or unacceptable feelings. 

However, over-reliance on repression can lead to unresolved emotional issues, which might manifest in various ways, such as anxiety, phobias, or unhealthy behaviors. 

It’s essential to recognize when repression is hindering personal growth or well-being and seek appropriate therapeutic interventions.

Repression in psychology: examples

Repression is a psychological defense mechanism where individuals unconsciously block unwanted memories, desires, or feelings. Understanding its manifestations can offer insights into human behavior. Here are some examples

• A child develops a fear of dogs but doesn’t remember being bitten by one when they were very young.
• An adult feels discomfort around a certain relative but can’t recall the specific childhood incident that caused this feeling.
• After being diagnosed with a chronic illness, a patient acts as if nothing is wrong and avoids medical treatment.
• A person consciously avoids thinking about a traumatic event, like the sudden death of a loved one, to get through a public event.
• Someone who feels jealousy towards a coworker constantly praises and compliments them to hide their true feelings.
• After a painful divorce, an individual delves into studying statistics on marriage and divorce rates, avoiding the emotional pain.
• A student who fails an exam convinces themselves that the test wasn’t important, even though they previously spent weeks preparing.
• A person with aggressive tendencies becomes a competitive athlete, channeling their aggression into the sport.

Real-life examples of repression in psychology

Repression in psychology refers to the unconscious mechanism individuals employ to protect themselves from thoughts or memories that might be too difficult or traumatic to confront directly. 

This defense mechanism can manifest in various ways, often influencing behavior, decisions, and emotional responses without the individual being fully aware of the underlying cause.

For instance, consider a woman named Sarah who, as a child, witnessed a severe car accident. As an adult, she might find herself feeling inexplicably anxious or panicky when hearing the sound of car brakes screeching, even if she doesn’t consciously recall the traumatic event from her childhood. 

Another example is of a man named Alex, who was frequently ridiculed by his peers during his school years. 

Years later, he might avoid attending reunions or feel a deep-seated discomfort in large social gatherings without a clear understanding of why he feels that way, as the painful memories of ridicule have been repressed.

How repression affects our relationship

Repression, a psychological defense mechanism, can deeply influence our interpersonal relationships. By unconsciously blocking certain memories or feelings, it shapes our reactions, emotions, and behaviors in intimate connections.

1. Difficulty in expressing emotions

One of the most direct ways repression affects our relationships is through the stifling of emotional expression. When individuals repress traumatic events or emotions, they often inadvertently suppress a range of other feelings. 

This can make it challenging for them to articulate their needs, desires, or concerns in a relationship. Over time, this lack of emotional transparency can create a barrier between partners, leading to misunderstandings and feelings of emotional distance.

2. Development of trust issues

Repression can lead to unresolved emotional baggage from past experiences, especially those related to betrayal or abandonment. Even if these experiences were not directly related to romantic relationships, they could still influence an individual’s ability to trust others. 

For instance, someone who repressed memories of being betrayed by a close friend might find it challenging to trust their partner fully. This lack of trust can manifest as jealousy, the constant need for reassurance, or even invasive behaviors like snooping.

3. Avoidance of intimacy

Intimacy, both emotional and physical, requires vulnerability. If someone has repressed traumatic events or emotions, they might associate vulnerability with pain or danger. 

This can lead them to avoid intimate situations, fearing that opening up might bring the repressed memories or feelings to the surface. In romantic relationships, this can lead to a lack of deep emotional connection or dissatisfaction in the physical aspects of the relationship.

4. Overreacting to triggers

Repressed memories or emotions can resurface when triggered by specific events, words, or behaviors in a relationship. 

For example, a person who has repressed memories of verbal abuse might overreact when their partner raises their voice, even if the context is entirely different. These unexpected and intense reactions can be confusing and hurtful for both parties, leading to conflicts and further emotional distance.

5. Formation of unhealthy attachment styles

Repression can influence the development of an individual’s attachment style. For instance, someone who has repressed memories of abandonment might develop an anxious attachment style, constantly fearing that their partner will leave them. 

On the other hand, someone who has repressed emotions related to a past controlling relationship might develop an avoidant attachment style, valuing their independence to the point of pushing their partner away.

FAQs

Repression is a psychological defense mechanism where individuals unconsciously block distressing memories, feelings, or desires. This mechanism, often referred to as the repression defense mechanism, serves to protect the individual from immediate emotional pain or trauma. 

Let’s check some frequently asked questions about this topic.

• What are some common examples of repressed memories?

Repressed memories, a prime example of repression in psychology, often stem from traumatic or distressing events from one’s past. Common repression psychology examples include childhood abuse, witnessing a traumatic event, or experiencing severe emotional distress. 

For instance, a person might not remember a specific incident of being bullied in school but may still harbor feelings of anxiety around their peers.

• Can repression cause mental health problems?

Yes, while the repression defense mechanism serves as a way to protect individuals from immediate emotional pain, over time, it can lead to various mental health issues. 

These can include anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Repressed emotions and memories, another repression psychology example, can manifest as unexplained fears, mood swings, or even physical symptoms.

• How does repression affect physical health?

Repression doesn’t just impact mental health; it can also have physical repercussions. Chronic repression, yet another repression psychology example, can lead to stress, which in turn can cause headaches, digestive problems, sleep disturbances, and even chronic conditions like hypertension or cardiovascular diseases. 

The body’s constant state of alertness due to unresolved emotional issues can strain its systems.

• How can I tell if my repression is causing problems in my relationships?

If you notice patterns of avoidance, difficulty in expressing emotions, overreacting to specific triggers, or developing trust issues without a clear reason, it might be due to repressed memories or emotions. 

For instance, an unexpected intense reaction to a partner raising their voice might be linked to repressed memories of past verbal abuse. This is yet another repression psychology example.

• What is reaction formation in psychology, and how does it relate to repression?

Reaction formation is a defense mechanism where an individual behaves in a way opposite to their genuine feelings or desires to keep them hidden or repressed. 

For example, someone who harbors hostile feelings might act overly friendly to mask those feelings. While it’s different from repression, both are ways the mind tries to manage and protect itself from distressing emotions.

• How can I get help with repressed memories?

If you suspect you have repressed memories affecting your well-being, it’s essential to seek professional help. 

A trained therapist or counselor can provide a safe environment to explore and address these memories. Techniques like talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and even certain types of hypnotherapy can be beneficial.

In this video, you’ll learn how to release trapped emotions and heal stress, anxiety, and trauma through the body:

Embracing the repressed emotions

Repression is a psychological defense mechanism where individuals unconsciously block distressing memories, feelings, or desires. This mechanism serves to protect the individual from immediate emotional pain or trauma. However, while it might offer temporary relief, in the long run, it can lead to various mental and physical health issues.