Suppressed for Dummies

Suppressed means when something is forced to be restrained or held back, like holding a balloon tightly so it doesn't fly away. It can also mean when feelings or emotions are kept hidden or controlled, like putting a cover on a pot to keep the steam inside. So, when something is suppressed, it's like it is being constrained or concealed, not allowed to be fully expressed or released.

Let me give you an example to help you understand it better. Think of a bubbling volcano. When a volcano erupts, it releases all the built-up pressure, lava, and ash that have been building up inside. But sometimes, before the volcano erupts, there might be a period of time when it doesn't release all that pressure right away. Instead, it holds it in and doesn't let it out, like a giant pressure cooker. During this period, we could say that the volcano is being suppressed. It's like the volcano is resisting the urge to explode, keeping its powerful force contained.

In a similar way, people can sometimes suppress their emotions or thoughts. Imagine you're upset about something, maybe a friend did something that hurt your feelings. Instead of expressing your hurt right away, you may choose to suppress your emotions and keep them hidden inside. It's like putting a lid on your emotions, not allowing them to come out. But just like the volcano, if you keep suppressing your feelings for too long, they can build up and eventually explode, making you feel even worse.

Suppression can happen with other things too, not just emotions. Let's say you're trying to study for a test, but there are distractions all around you, like noise from outside or your favorite TV show playing in the background. If you manage to suppress those distractions and focus solely on your studying, you are suppressing the distractions. It's like you're placing a barrier between yourself and the distractions, not allowing them to interfere with your concentration.

So, remember, suppression is when something is held back, restrained, or concealed. It can apply to feelings, thoughts, urges, or even external distractions that we choose to control or keep at bay. It's like trying to keep a cork in a bottle, preventing the contents from spilling out and keeping everything in check.