- Username
- Sizmix
- Date posted
- 3y ago
I wouldn’t do electroconvulsive therapy under any circumstances. I think that once my dad passes, I would be happy to have my memories of him erased. For now, those memories remind me to not get close to him ever again, because he is severely emotionally abusive, and I have PTSD from his episodes. Also my SA would feel so freeing to have erased. Those two events haunt my thoughts no matter how hard I try to get rid of them
I believe it's an advanced "selective memory" And it would only delete the ones you want deleted.
If it's legitimate, I'm just going to remove my childhood and the times I got kidnapped and my friendship with someone and every memory where I have done something horrible. No thank you to all of that, I will keep 10 percent of my memory and I will be very happy, thank you.
Seems legit I also believe it's in progress. If electroconvulsive therapy exist what's to say something that can delete bad memories can't?
It's a work in progress machine and I wouldn't expect it toll 2025-2040
I hope I'm not coming across as too blunt by saying this, but I am extremely skeptical that such a selective way of inducing amnesia as you have described will be developed in the near future. I'm not saying that you're lying of course, but it seems inconceivable that something like that would become possible soon. The way that long-term memories are created and stored is not even fully understood at this point in time - any such treatment would be highly experimental and likely unsafe. If you don't mind my asking, where did you hear about this new form of therapy? I don't have real event OCD, so my opinion isn't really important or warranted here. If I were to give my thoughts, it does occur to me that even if you could erase a memory, that wouldn't necessary erase OCD - it would only remove a trigger. Theoretically you could keep erasing troublesome memories/triggers for the rest of your life as they are formed, which depending on your values, may be completely fine or undesirable. It reminds me a bit of Robert Nozick's "experience machine", albeit a bit different. I wouldn't want such a treatment, but then again, my values and experiences may differ from someone else's. Another given individual might feel thrilled at the thought of selective memory amnesia therapy, and they may have their own reasons for feeling that way.
It actually already exist. A machine used to make PTSD sufferers forget bad memories. But the problem is it makes them forget good memories as well scientist are currently working on a way to make it only delete selective memories. It is basically a MRI that will use brain waves and brain chemicals to erase the memory. I can give links if you want?
And I know it doesn't stop ocd but if you have no memories of stuff to have real event OCD about, you can't have real event OCD.
I am sure that there are methods of inducing retrograde amnesia currently. Brain damage comes to mind, and you are correct that electroconvulsive therapy can cause amnesia as a side effect. This is possible because we roughly understand which areas of the brain are responsible for memory processing and storage, and trauma can disrupt normal functioning in those areas. What I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around is that we will be able to selectively delete memories soon. I'm dubious that our current understanding of memory is that well developed, but I could certainly be wrong. Feel free to shoot me the links, and I'll check them out. In regards to your second comment, I would imagine that if someone had real event OCD but erased all triggers/troublesome memories, they would still have OCD, in the same way I would still have OCD even if I developed global amnesia right now and forgot all my obsessions. OCD is a disorder; it exists even when there is nothing to trigger it. It doesn't vanish, so much as go into a dormant state until something does. Life has a lot of stressors, so it stands to reason that individuals with real event would eventually experience new unwelcome situations, which would lead to new memories that their subtype of OCD might latch onto, unless they engaged in a process of continual forgetting. That would be my guess. I'm not a psychologist, though, and my understanding of this subtype is rather rudimentary. Anyone reading this, feel free to correct me if I have this wrong.
I don't think you're getting what I mean with the second part but, they will measure the brain waves during the thought process and try to get rid of the memory. Honestly you shouldn't be asking me I'm not the one making the machine you can take a quick search at it on google
How? How can I achieve? How can I erase these "memories"? How can I get rid of this never ending pain?
till*
How can I do ERP with real event OCD? I feel like it doesn't work to say "it could happen" because it already happened! Any suggestions?
A Quick Guide For Real Event OCD: Remember that it’s not the memory that is the problem, it’s the OCD that’s the issue Remember that OCD often distorts your past memories and can very often add details to make a memory seem worse than it actually was and can even create false memories. This is a challenging one but, let go of the need for certainly about your past memory or memories. Let go as best you can and be comfortable with uncertainty (this takes time, be self compassionate) Remember that this type of OCD is not special or unique just because it’s based on a (likely distort and over exaggerated) past event, OCD attacks what is most important to us, our biggest fears and issues, it whatever way it can Real event OCD is fundamentally no different than any other type of OCD (and many people suffer from many different types of OCD all at once) The only differences in any type of OCD is what the obsession is over, thankfully, The treatment is the same, this is a moment in life what is a good thing to remember that you (and your condition) are not special Stop reassurance seeking and confessing. It may provide a little relief and lessen your fears but it will not fully take them away, again it’s not the memory that’s the issue it’s OCD’s grip on the memory Ban rumination! No matter how many times you ruminate about every detail and possible outcome of the past event will only make the thoughts more “sticky” in your brain. It’s hard, but stop giving the thoughts credence and let them go as best you can, try to catch yourself in the act of rumination Be mindful and allow the uncomfortable thoughts and feelings to just come and go, observe but don’t engage, this helps teach the brain not to attach to these thoughts and feelings and stops the brain for continuously sending the panic alarm. Meditation works very nicely for practicing mindfulness Ask yourself if you should waste your life trying to figure out the past, when you can focus on bringing what you want into your present and future. I know you don’t feel you deserve it. The main tenets of behavior therapy are: We cannot control our thoughts and feelings but we can control our behavior. If you change your behavior, your thoughts and feelings will follow. During this pandemic it can be hard, so try finding hobbies and other positive things to do to fill your day Be here now, this can be challenging but, do your best to live in the now and do what you can to make today great! The past is long over and the future is fantasy. Each day we are born anew and have an opportunity to improve. Most of not all Real Event OCD obsessions are over actions that we would never think of repeating and that we would have never done if we knew then what we know now. Be kind to yourself and remember who you are. Accept that there will be ups and downs, harder days and easier days, on your recovery journey Finally… self compassion not self forgiveness! Forgiveness implies that you have done some unforgivable act and need to work towards reparation for it. This process usually requires time spent discussing and processing the event. You may believe if you find a way to forgive yourself then you can stop obsessing about it. People in your life may have even encouraged you to work on it. With OCD, discussing and analyzing the event is not the approach we want to take. In fact, I’m sure you have already spent excessive amounts of time evaluating the situation and all its many angles, yet getting nowhere. Now, I’m not saying this is an event you are proud of. What I am saying is that it’s not the event that is the problem; it is the OCD that is the problem. There is a chance you would have moved on from the event if the OCD hadn’t grabbed onto it. And we don’t treat OCD with self-forgiveness because OCD exaggerates and distorts life events. Imagine that being stuck on this may not be due to lack of self-forgiveness but the way OCD traps you. OCD has taken over the life event, twisted it and has convinced you into believing it is a critical problem that requires forgiveness or punishment. Resources: Article: http://www.ocdspecialists.com/real-event-ocd/ Video on Real Event OCD: https://youtu.be/ojsA2z_Nf_0 Video on Letting Go: https://youtu.be/ZK6FVw4xfbg Video on “Going Through Hell”: https://youtu.be/toQMJeqdW48 Video “Drunk on Life” accepting the good, the bad and the s Gray area: https://youtu.be/WCsPCrZ4aq0 Jesus Prayer Mindfulness Meditation Guide (NOTE: if you struggle with religious OCD this may not be the best for you) https://youtu.be/6TTDjJ8Cv3Y Za Zen Mindfulness Meditation Guide (NOTE: if you have an issue with number obsession this might not be best for you) https://youtu.be/dDJ_wbjBL6c Book Recommendations: The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD by John Hershfield Christ The Eternal Tao by Hieromonk Damascene Anxious For Nothing by Max Lucando The Jesus Prayer by Frederica Matthews Green The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund Bourne Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives by Elder Thaddeus F*ck Coping Start Healing by Dennis Simsek Anxiety, Trust and Gratitude by Nun Kathrine Weston NOTE: While all this information is very helpful it is always best to seek treatment and help from a therapist or psychologist. Use the information above is a part of your healing journey, get in touch with a therapist/psychologist to help you better work through these issues
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