--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Because of dissociation, many victims are…" description: "\"“Because of dissociation, many victims are able to remember the abuse only when a certain object, smell, color, scene, or experience triggers a sudden,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b23/beverly-engel-20203_abuse-survivors_because-of-dissociation-many-victims-are_2449933.jpg" --- # Because of dissociation, many victims are able to remember… ![“Because of dissociation, many victims are able to remember the abuse only when a certain object, smell, color, scene, or experience triggers a sudden, severe reaction. During a flashback one seems to see, feel, hear, smell, or taste something from the past as if it were actually happening in the…” quote by Beverly Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b23/beverly-engel-20203_abuse-survivors_because-of-dissociation-many-victims-are_2449933.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b23/beverly-engel-20203_abuse-survivors_because-of-dissociation-many-victims-are_2449933.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b23/beverly-engel-20203_abuse-survivors_because-of-dissociation-many-victims-are_2449933.jpg) > ““Because of dissociation, many victims are able to remember the abuse only when a certain object, smell, color, scene, or experience triggers a sudden, severe reaction. During a flashback one seems to see, feel, hear, smell, or taste something from the past as if it were actually happening in the present. In a visual flashback, you actually see the scene of your abuse, or you may see an object or image that reminds you or is symbolic of your abuse.”” [Beverly Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-engel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Trauma can trigger vivid sensory flashbacks when cues match the original abuse, making past events feel present. **In simple terms:** Triggers cause intense, realistic flashbacks. Key Takeaway Identify and manage triggers to reduce distress. Themes trauma memory trigger Mood empathetic serious Type clinical educational When to use this quote - therapy sessions - daily life - support groups - personal reflection Key Concepts psychology neuroscience healing Questions to Reflect On - What coping strategies help during flashbacks? - How can environments be made safer? A Different Perspective Triggers may be unavoidable in certain environments. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abuse-survivors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse-survivors/) [Disorder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disorder/) [Dissociation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dissociation/) [Dissociation Victims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dissociation-victims-562088/) [Dissociative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dissociative/) [Flashback Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flashback-feel-562087/) [Flashbacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flashbacks/) [Ptsd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ptsd/) [Reaction Flashback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reaction-flashback-562090/) [Reliving-the-past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reliving-the-past-157287/) [Remember Abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember-abuse-562089/) [Triggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/triggers/) ## Related quotes > [“She's terrified that all these sensations and images are coming out of her — but I think she's even more terrified to find out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-l-calof/she-s-terrified-that-all-these-sensations-and-images-are-coming-out/) [David L. Calof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-l-calof/) > [I cry here late in the cold dark night, Remembering all the things that were said. Seeing how many times I was teased, Told…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-cry-here-late-in-the-cold-dark-night-remembering-all-the-things/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The child who attends school does not remember the abuse that happens at home or via the family; those memories are held in another part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-miller/the-child-who-attends-school-does-not-remember-the-abuse-that-happens/) [Alison Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-miller/) > [“That’s my bra!” I blurt. I have a sudden flurry of flashbacks. I left my bra when I ran, and he stored it there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-ellen-malpas/that-s-my-bra-i-blurt-i-have-a-sudden-flurry-of-flashbacks-i-left-my/) [Jodi Ellen Malpas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-ellen-malpas/) > [I want the flashbacks to feel that once you're there they have their own unity, their own kind of atmospheric sensibility; I want the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chang-rae-lee/i-want-the-flashbacks-to-feel-that-once-you-re-there-they-have-their/) [Chang-Rae Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chang-rae-lee/) > [The brief flashbacks are sun-kissed, summery and optimistic. It's the only place in the movie you will see red, yellow, orange, or any vibrant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-soderbergh/the-brief-flashbacks-are-sun-kissed-summery-and-optimistic-it-s-the/) [Steven Soderbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-soderbergh/) > [“No matter how much you cry, the tears will dry. No matter how many nightmares, flashbacks, visions, or terrors you endure, they will pass.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vironika-tugaleva/no-matter-how-much-you-cry-the-tears-will-dry-no-matter-how-many/) [Vironika Tugaleva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vironika-tugaleva/) > [“When I was cooking I enjoyed a sense of being ‘out’ of myself. The action of dicing vegetables and warming oil made my hands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-jamieson/when-i-was-cooking-i-enjoyed-a-sense-of-being-out-of-myself-the/) [Alice Jamieson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-jamieson/) > [“The symptomatology of PTSD. In PTSD a traumatic event is not remembered and relegated to one's past in the same way as other life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babette-rothschild/the-symptomatology-of-ptsd-in-ptsd-a-traumatic-event-is-not/) [Babette Rothschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babette-rothschild/) > [The flashbacks are parallel for me. You experience two storylines at the same time, and I'm not switching from one time to another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/the-flashbacks-are-parallel-for-me-you-experience-two-storylines-at/) [Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/) > [The flashbacks of you and me together make me wanna spend my life with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-flashbacks-of-you-and-me-together-make-me-wanna-spend-my-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Its not the Goodbyes that hurt, Its the flashbacks that follow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/its-not-the-goodbyes-that-hurt-its-the-flashbacks-that-follow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [After the 9/11 apocalypse happened in New York City, people, particularly New Yorkers, who breathed in the ash, or saw the results of that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/after-the-9-11-apocalypse-happened-in-new-york-city-people/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“I dwelled heavily on the image of me chipping away at the lock with a nail file and didn’t tell her about the gloves,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-ware/i-dwelled-heavily-on-the-image-of-me-chipping-away-at-the-lock-with-a/) [Ruth Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-ware/) > [“sometimes in life, short-lived STORIES can have life-lasting effects and MEMORIES.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/sometimes-in-life-short-lived-stories-can-have-life-lasting-effects/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) ## More by Beverly Engel > [It is far more important to know myself and take care of myself than it is to look good to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-engel/it-is-far-more-important-to-know-myself-and-take-care-of-myself-than/) [Beverly Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-engel/) > [“There came a time in my life when I had to admit to myself that I have some very clear narcissistic tendencies. 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Many will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-engel/many-neglected-and-abused-children-grow-up-to-be-adults-who-are/) [Beverly Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-engel/) > [“This is particularly true of those who "love too much" and those who tend to lose themselves in their relationships. Sometimes our love becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-engel/this-is-particularly-true-of-those-who-love-too-much-and-those-who/) [Beverly Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-engel/) > [Critical words to a child are as painful and damaging as being physically hit. They are verbal slaps in the face. Usually, critical words…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-engel/critical-words-to-a-child-are-as-painful-and-damaging-as-being/) [Beverly Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-engel/) > [“emotional abuse is much more than verbal abuse. Emotional abuse can be defined as any nonphysical behavior that is designed to control, intimidate, subjugate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-engel/emotional-abuse-is-much-more-than-verbal-abuse-emotional-abuse-can-be/) [Beverly Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-engel/) > [Positive and powerful: Sometimes people won't like me, and it's okay. Positive and powerful: I like me, and that's all that matters. Positive and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-engel/positive-and-powerful-sometimes-people-won-t-like-me-and-it-s-okay/) [Beverly Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-engel/) > [There are many types of emotional abuse but most is done in an attempt to control or subjugate another person. Emotional abuse is like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-engel/there-are-many-types-of-emotional-abuse-but-most-is-done-in-an/) [Beverly Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-engel/) > [“Why Is It So Important to Remember? When you were abused, those around you acted as if it weren’t happening. Since no one else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-engel/why-is-it-so-important-to-remember-when-you-were-abused-those-around/) [Beverly Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-engel/) > [Accepting that your imperfections and so-called negative attributes are part of what makes you unique will help you to stop continually trying to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-engel/accepting-that-your-imperfections-and-so-called-negative-attributes/) [Beverly Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-engel/) [Explore all 31 Beverly Engel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-engel/) ## More Abuse-survivors quotes > [“no recovery from trauma is possible without attending to issues of safety, care for the self, reparative connections to other human beings, and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janina-fisher/no-recovery-from-trauma-is-possible-without-attending-to-issues-of/) [Janina Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janina-fisher/) > [“I'm still not sure if I was a victim or not... and if I was, who was my abuser?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eskay-teel/i-m-still-not-sure-if-i-was-a-victim-or-not-and-if-i-was-who-was-my/) [Eskay Teel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eskay-teel/) > [“In spite of the horror, in spite of the tragedy, in spite of the weeks of sleepless nights, I'm finally alive. I'm not pretending.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-bass/in-spite-of-the-horror-in-spite-of-the-tragedy-in-spite-of-the-weeks/) [Ellen Bass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-bass/) > [“Survivors of abuse show us the strength of their personal spirit every time they smile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/survivors-of-abuse-show-us-the-strength-of-their-personal-spirit/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“In situations of captivity the perpetrator becomes the most powerful person in the life of the victim, and the psychology of the victim is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-lewis-herman/in-situations-of-captivity-the-perpetrator-becomes-the-most-powerful/) [Judith Lewis Herman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-lewis-herman/) > [“The more I focus my time and energy on withstanding a real life, I am able to overcome and come out victorious.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dsouza/the-more-i-focus-my-time-and-energy-on-withstanding-a-real-life-i-am/) [Patricia Dsouza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dsouza/) > [“The capacity for dissociation enables the young child to exercise their innate life-sustaining need for attachment in spite of the fact that principal attachment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-middleton/the-capacity-for-dissociation-enables-the-young-child-to-exercise/) [Warwick Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-middleton/) > [“One of the reasons a survivor finds it so difficult to see herself as a victim is that she has been blamed repeatedly for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-langberg/one-of-the-reasons-a-survivor-finds-it-so-difficult-to-see-herself-as/) [Diane Langberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-langberg/) > [“There is a moment in our healing journey when our denial crumbles; we realize our experience and it's continued effects on us won't "just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/there-is-a-moment-in-our-healing-journey-when-our-denial-crumbles-we/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Dissociated trauma memories don't reveal themselves like ordinary memories. 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Ruff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-s-ruff/) [Browse all 133 Abuse-survivors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse-survivors/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Because of dissociation, many victims are able to remember the abuse only when a certain object, smell, color, scene, or experience triggers a sudden, severe reaction. During a flashback one seems to see, feel, hear, smell, or taste something from the past as if it were actually happening in the present. 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