psyc paper hits close to home

[Healing_Me]

I have do to a paper for my psyc class. Its about defense mechanisms such as repression and you have to use examples from your own life. the only one that i can think, or rather that keeps popping in my head in how i tried to repress the memory of being raped. I really don't want the rest of my class to know but she doesnt read them out loud and shes really nice. i just need some advice, should i or should i not put it in my paper? it would probably help and i dont feel too uncomfortable, im just kinda nervous. or should i just make some stuff up instead?

[sushi_error]

Hi Becka,

This a tough situation. You should only write about it if you feel comfortable and maybe if you do, it will help you relieve any pain you have. If you want, you could speak to the teacher and tell her about your circumstance.

[Prozac]

Hi Becka.

I can see why this is a hard decision for you. If you are sure that the teacher won't disclose what you write to anyone else, then if you're comfortable with it, then i'd admire you for being able to write about such a personal experience. Perhaps because it's so personal, it would also affect your writing - this could make it more effective, however you could also find it very difficult. Perhaps you could attempt it, then if you're uncertain, then you could always start again. I can understand why this must be hard for you. If you're unsure that perhaps it could be shown to others, then you may want to talk about it with your teacher (perhaps mention that you want it kept secret anyway). This may give you some reassurance. Only write it if you're comfortable with it. It is a hard subject to tackle.

Stephanie

[Mixtape91]

Hey Becka,
Maybe its an opportunity to publicly confront your past. If you think it would help, do it. If you don't feel comfortable about it, then just don't. Do what you feel is right

[awritersmind]

So are you supporting the case of repression, or stating how it has been shown that repression doesn't not exist?

My dilema with this is this: I thought repression of memory was actually real. It seems like it right? But have you just tried to repress a memory or do you believe you actually did it?

So people don't think I am trying to be offensive here, I was taught that repression does not seem to exist because of studies they have done with survivors of horrific traumas such as Holocause survivors. They had no sign of repression although from what everyone hears about repression, that would be expected right? Rather, they showed signs of emblazened memories about their expereinces. Is it possible that repression exists? I believe there is a chance it could because the human brain is not completely understood.

I only mention this so you can take a critical look at both sides and see where you fight into this. I agree with everyone else though. Write what you are comfortable sharing. If you think sharing your experiences will help you, then I support it. If you are only doing it because of the assignment, I might find something else. I think its rather presumpuous of a teacher to assign something like this frankly...

[udontno]

If I was you, I'd use the topic if I felt I could trust the teacher. Some of my best papers have been written on things that were difficult for me to write about because of the content. That made the emotion behind the words very raw. It gives the paper an edge, an edge that I like to see personally.

[InSovietRussiaORGASMGotU]

If the teacher doesn't read them out loud, then I'd say write about it. The worst that could happen is your teacher reads it, freaks out a little then calls you in to be supportive and such, which I assume isn't a bad thing. That, and you could make it more or less a soap opera, butter it up, etc... and get a good mark.

[Lozzaa]

I would be wary. I have no idea if the teacher would have to confront you about it or not.

As the above posters say, only write about it if you feel comfortable with it, and have no doubts about who will see it.

Laura
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