Memory is a cornerstone of human experience, shaping how we understand ourselves and the world. It is divided into two main types: implicit memory and explicit memory. These forms of memory are crucial in how trauma affects the nervous system and our emotional well-being.
4 Signs You Struggle with Implicit or Explicit Memories
1. Emotional Triggers: You experience anxiety, fear, or anger when exposed to certain sounds, smells, or situations—even if you don’t consciously recall a related traumatic event.
2. Physical Responses: You frequently feel physical sensations like tightness, racing heart, or panic, especially in certain situations.
3. Unexplained Behaviors: You find yourself avoiding certain places, people, or activities, or reacting strongly in ways that don’t seem to fit the current situation.
4. Difficulty Recalling Past Events: You struggle to clearly remember certain traumatic events or periods of your life, even though they may still have a significant emotional impact.
Implicit vs. Explicit Memory: What’s the Difference?
- Explicit Memory: This is the type of memory we consciously recall, such as facts, events, or experiences. It includes:
- Semantic Memory: General knowledge and facts.
- Episodic Memory: Personal experiences tied to specific times and places.
- Implicit Memory: This operates unconsciously and influences behavior without deliberate effort. Examples include skills like riding a bike or emotional reactions triggered by certain cues.
Implicit memories are often felt in the body, while explicit memories are more cognitive and verbal. Both types interact intricately within the brain, particularly during and after traumatic events.
Trauma and Its Impact on Implicit Memory
Trauma profoundly affects how memories are stored and retrieved, disrupting the natural balance.
- Heightened Implicit Memory Activation:
- Traumatic experiences often bypass the brain’s typical processing systems, embedding themselves in implicit memory.
- For instance, a survivor of an accident may feel anxiety when hearing screeching tires, even if they consciously don’t recall the incident. This is the body’s implicit memory reacting to a sensory cue.
For instance, a survivor of an accident may feel anxiety when hearing screeching tires, even if they consciously don’t recall the incident.
The Role of the Nervous System
Trauma activates the autonomic nervous system (ANS), particularly the sympathetic nervous system, which prepares the body for “fight, flight, or freeze” responses. If the traumatic event is not processed effectively, these responses can become “stuck,” leading to long-term dysregulation in the nervous system.
This is why certain situations or interactions with specific people may trigger your nervous system.
This is why certain situations or interactions with specific people may trigger your nervous system. Paying close attention to how your body reacts in these moments is essential. Your physical responses could be signaling something rooted in your implicit memory, offering valuable insight into unresolved experiences or emotions.
By understanding these processes, we can better appreciate the pathways to healing. Integrating body-based therapies, narrative work, and mindfulness practices allows us to restore balance, process trauma, and reclaim a sense of safety and well-being.
4 Practical Steps for Healing Memories
1. Self-Reflection: Notice strong emotional or physical reactions and ask if they might be linked to past trauma.
2. Therapy/Journaling: Work with a trauma therapist or journal to process memories and emotions, helping you understand trauma’s influence on your behavior.
3. Mindfulness & Grounding: Practice mindfulness and grounding techniques (like deep breathing) to stay present and manage trauma responses.
4. Body-Based Therapies: Try somatic practices (dance, massage) to release trauma stored in the body and restore nervous system balance.
In short, being aware of how trauma impacts your mind and body can help you understand your reactions, heal, and regain control over your emotional well-being.
