D. Laub et Nc. Auerhahn, KNOWING AND NOT KNOWING MASSIVE PSYCHIC TRAUMA - FORMS OF TRAUMATIC MEMORY, International Journal of Psycho-analysis, 74, 1993, pp. 287-302
It is in the nature of trauma to elude knowledge, both because of defi
cit and defence. Massive trauma cannot be grasped because there are ne
ither words nor categories of thought adequate to its representation;
knowledge of trauma is also fiercely defended against, as it poses a m
omentous threat to psychic integrity. Yet knowing nevertheless occurs
on some level, often in restricted or defensive forms. This paper sets
forth various forms of knowing and not knowing massive historical tra
uma as manifested in clinical symptomatology, transference phenomena,
life themes and witnessing narratives. Metaphor is also mentioned as y
et another form of knowing and addressing trauma, available primarily
to those who have not been directly affected as victims nor as family
members of victims. The different forms imply a continuum of progressi
vely more integrated and subjectively owned levels of knowing, directl
y related to the actual and psychological distance from the traumatic
event. Illustrations drawn from clinical and testimonial settings are
given for each level of knowing described, and implications for therap
eutic strategy are discussed.