Repress yourself

The New York Times
Lauren Slater
February 23, 2003

This article highlights the debate surrounding trauma psychotherapy, based on a study of heart-attack victims in Tel Aviv to recommend repression instead of story telling.

"On the other hand, Dr. Amy Banks, a faculty member at the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute at Wellesley College, Massachusetts, says: "Ginzburg's study is interesting, but it's weak. It's saying repression is useful for repressors. Is repression useful for those of us with different styles? I doubt it. I think it's probably harmful." Banks's sentiments ultimately win out with doctors and patients, professionals and lay people.... Trauma that happens at the hands of another human being has a much greater psychological impact than trauma that happens from a physical illness, accident or even natural disaster. There's a bigger destruction in trust and relationships. And to further complicate things, sexual abuse usually happens over time, in a situation of secrecy, to what may be a pre-verbal child. A heart attack is a public event that involves fully verbal adults who have so much more control over their world."