Why do I have memory gaps from a traumatic experience?
Trauma & Grief
Memory gaps after trauma are a protective mechanism where your brain blocks out overwhelming information to help you survive.
Psychological trauma can overwhelm your brain's ability to process and store memories, leading to fragmentation or gaps. This is a neurobiological survival response, not a sign of weakness. Your brain did what it had to do to protect you. Psychotherapy like EMDR can help safely process these fragmented memories.