Q. Is it true that the brain doesn’t know the difference between good and bad memories, so when you repress bad memories, you’re also repressing good memories?

A. If the brain did not know the difference between good and bad memories it likely would repress either all of them or none of them. Memories are believed filed somewhat diffusely throughout the brain rather than in just one giant memory bank. Good thing because if a brain injury knocked out that one giant memory bank, you might never remember who you are. When the brain represses a painful memory, think of it as using your thumb to put pressure on a ripe plumb. The area of pressure will, naturally, be strongest right under your thumb. There will also be an area around that point that is of lighter pressure. Depending on what was stored in that surrounding area, you might repress good memories as well.