Painful Experiences Painful memories are a replay of a painful experience. In many cases the pain is remembered separately from other emotions such as desire or firm intention to complete a plan. Psychiatrists will tell you that this is what happens.
Someone has a painful experience.
At first they block it. Then they remember it, perhaps in the doctor's office, and there's much weeping and gnashing of teeth and wailing. This is called a catharsis or a breakthrough. After that they remember the experience many times, but each time is seems to have less effect. The edges are smoothed.