Traumatic memories are often fragmented – a psychologist explains how and why that happens
Trauma can leave memories jumbled or incomplete, and researchers say about 70% of people worldwide experience a traumatic event in their lifetime.
- Traumatic memories do not follow a linear story; instead, people experience them as disconnected fragments of sensations, emotions, smells, or images, as trauma distorts how memories are stored and retrieved.
- During trauma, two main brain structures are involved: the hippocampus becomes overwhelmed by stress, disrupting memory storage, while the amygdala becomes highly active processing fear.
- People may expect a "fight or flight" response, but in a freeze response, a person's mind goes blank, leading to a "deer in the headlights" behavior during traumatic events.
- Outsiders may misconstrue these behaviors as evidence that trauma did not occur, causing survivors to be questioned when they relay their stories because they do not match expected narratives.
- World Health Organization data shows approximately 70% of people worldwide report experiencing a traumatic event; providing better support and understanding trauma nuances can ultimately aid survivors' healing.
41 Articles
41 Articles
Traumatic memories are often fragmented. A psychologist explains how and why that happens
When survivors of trauma recount their experiences, they are often questioned because of how they relay their stories. They may have problems remembering what happened, or their memories may be jumbled or even contradictory. People hearing those stories—attorneys, reporters, health care workers or friends—may expect a clearer, linear narrative.
The Conversation
Traumatic memories are often fragmented – a psychologist explains how and why that happens
Traumatic memories are not recalled the same way pleasant memories are. Filmstax/E+ via Getty ImagesWhen survivors of trauma recount their experiences, they are often questioned because of how they relay their stories. They may have problems remembering what happened, or their memories may be jumbled or even contradictory. People hearing those stories – attorneys, reporters, healthcare workers or friends – may expect a clearer, linear narrative.…
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