Often times our deepest troubling moments get shielded by a memory block to protect us from thinking that can harm us. We are constantly protecting ourselves from being hurt. That’s a natural reaction to “cognitive overload” [1] and stressful situations. A memory block is a “subconscious, mechanism the brain uses to protect itself from traumatic, painful, or overwhelming experiences.” [2]

Ever feel like you keep going and by the time you know it your there but in the moment it’s like a memory block is placed in between then and now. It’s that journey forward occurring like your moving forward without looking back. Why don’t we remember everything anyways maybe it’s because of an adrenaline rush that fight or flight response to stress. It’s a weird feeling to arrive we always wonder how it happened so fast. Could it be a memory block of a focus on the future that keeps us propelled forward without looking back. 

Sometimes memory blocks can help in a positive way not just blocking out the bad. Like “gaps in conscious awareness to protect mental stability.” [3] Our mental health sometimes requires that we be in a normal state not under the influence of substances to access our memories. [4] In addition it is said that “Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and trauma commonly cause memory gaps, “brain fog,” and forgetfulness.” [5] Take it easy and don’t be so hard on yourself sometimes with the help of medications we can better navigate the conditions involving memory blocks.

References:

[1a] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/memory/memory-and-mental-health

[2] blocking things from memory – Google Search

[3] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9789-dissociative-amnesia

[4] Psychiatrist explains how the brain blocks memory to help get through traumatic event

[5] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/memory/memory-and-mental-health