To be honest, it causes a lot of panic and can send you into shock. When repressed memories come up (though honestly, for me, I don't think I'd call them repressed memories as much as stuff I put on the backburner), after you write them down (or before you write them down, whatever works for you) take good care of yourself. You deserve it. And in terms of uncovering...just write down what you can remember. Look for anything in your life that seems unexplained. Talking to family members might also help, just to fill in the blanks. Write down your dreams. Stuff like that.

That's my take, at least.