Traumatic Memories And Touch

Touch can be a good thing to add to you next story where a character is dealing with a traumatic memory.

Holding a partner's hand while processing painful memories can weaken the lasting effects of emotional pain

Consoling touch helps facilitate the processing of painful memories, according to findings published in PLOS One. The study found that while handholding does not immediately reduce emotional pain, it appears to reduce the experience of prolonged distress.

How the listener does or doesn't touch someone while they talk about a traumatic memory can be a powerful signal about how the characters relate to each other.