Q&A: Can you be a repressor if you consciously feel sad or angry?

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Question Based on Samuel Mann's chapter in The Divided Mind, where he writes:"The patient who tells me he is worried about this or angry about that, or that he or she feels down or depressed from time to time, is not likely to be a repressor. The patient who tells me he is very even keeled, or is always up, or has never ever been depressed no matter what has happened, is likely a repressor" (210).

Answer by Barbara Kline, LCSW

Barbara Kline, LCSW Barbara Kline's Survey Response / Profile Page

This is a very good question and illustrates how complicated the process can be. Since Dr. Mann only talks about hypertension, I'm afraid I can't answer about that specificallyas I have not encountered any clients whose blood pressure normalized after successful treatment for TMS symptoms. However, to answer the question, "can a person feel sad or angry and still be repressing?" my answer would have to be yes. I have worked with clients who were depressed and were also experiencing physical symptoms such as back, neck, leg pain. Since we all use repression as a defense mechanism, I believe it depends on how much we are repressing. Dr. Sarno has noted that the anger we consciously feel is not the same as the unconscious rage we are repressing.So, it would appear that he would not be in agreement with Dr. Mann on this. You mentioned that you had not read Dr. Sarno's other books but I think you might find them helpful as Dr. Sarno does address this. Again, this is all complicated and as more research is being done, we will be learning more about the process. It wouldbe interestingto hear what the TMS doctors have to say about this and if they have seen patients with hypertension lower their blood pressure after successful TMS treatment. -- It is important to recognize that no information on this wiki can be considered a specific medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or medical advice. Reading information here does not create a doctor/patient or other professional relationship between you and the answering professional. As always, you should consult with your physicians and counselors regarding new symptoms and any changes that you might make in medications or activities.

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Other Resources

• Q&A: I like my therapist, but she doesn't know about TMS
• Learning to feel emotions rather than surpressing them

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