Help Are there any ways to forget things that have happened to us in the past?

[Surai]

Are there any ways/methods to forget things that have happened to me in the past? It's like my brain is just holding them right at the back of my head. For some reason recently they've surfaced from my memory and just sit there when I wake up. It's torture. It's giving me insomnia. It's something that really affects my will to do anything. The best way I can describe it is like a rock sitting in my head. I just can't get over it.

 

[LonelyPrince]

Are there any ways/methods to forget things that have happened to me in the past? It's like my brain is just holding them right at the back of my head. For some reason recently they've surfaced from my memory and just sit there when I wake up. It's torture. It's giving me insomnia. It's something that really affects my will to do anything. The best way I can describe it is like a rock sitting in my head. I just can't get over it.

It happens to me too.
Unfortunately, I don't have a solution. When it happens to me I either keep obsessively thinking about that one memory or I forcefully think of something else.
Does the memory lead you to feeling anxious and restless? Is it something somewhat ordinary or more traumatic?

 

[Surai]

It happens to me too.
Unfortunately, I don't have a solution. When it happens to me I either keep obsessively thinking about that one memory or I forcefully think of something else.
Does the memory lead you to feeling anxious and restless? Is it something somewhat ordinary or more traumatic?

I keep replaying the event in my head. Making scenarios up with how I could have acted to somewhat make it better for me. To make me win somehow in some way. And the words and reactions echo off.

 

[EmptyBottle]

What may help (along with other options) is writing the memory down (maybe with a timer) and setting the text aside where it won't be seen accidentally...

As well as writing other things to replace the thing one wants to forget about, and keep the list somewhere visible?

I found that playing music at night (and at times where one wants to relax) helped me.

 

[LonelyPrince]

I keep replaying the event in my head. Making scenarios up with how I could have acted to somewhat make it better for me. To make me win somehow in some way. And the words and reactions echo off.

I see.
I think engaging with the thought its not the best option. What's done it's done and no amount of fictional scenarios will change that..
In my opinion, perhaps the best option is to not engage altogether and label the thought as "unimportant".
Whenever the memory replays, try to be aware of what's going on and don't engage with it, otherwise it festers.

 

[Spite]

I'm not sure if there is. :( I wish I could be rid of all the thoughts from my past that haunt me. The only thing I can really suggest is to find distractions and try to focus as much of your time and energy towards that if you can. Much of life is gonna come down to coping, coping, and coping harder when we're suffering like this. I know that's probably not the answer you want to hear and I'm sorry.

 

[tasmaka]

Yes but no.

Ive been studying neurology and psychology with my extra time, and also because I suffer with memory repression from traumatic events.

The repression or supression of memories for me atleast isnt favorable, as its never truly gone. I did a study on whether or not its positive on the user, and my final conclusion was, "memory suppression is only effective for short term success, in the long term there is more negatives than downsides."

The alternate optimal procedure to go to is therapy, Cbt, and specifically exposure therapy(in context of memory loss). Im not a certified psychologist so take this with a grain of salt, but I believe the same holds for your situation, its definitely uncomfortable but direct confrontation with issues are the best ethical decision to make to eventually find better results.

If this seems interesting I can reply with more but I personally was disappointed in my results, so I wouldnt be surprised if it upset you as well

 

[CuriousAboutThis]

Are there any ways/methods to forget things that have happened to me in the past? It's like my brain is just holding them right at the back of my head. For some reason recently they've surfaced from my memory and just sit there when I wake up. It's torture. It's giving me insomnia. It's something that really affects my will to do anything. The best way I can describe it is like a rock sitting in my head. I just can't get over it.

I don't know the best way to forget things I have trouble dealing with things that happen to me in the past. Normally, I just listen to music or try to distract myself with video games or I just end up replaying the same memories in my head and then end up playing scenarios in my head to the people who have hurt me and imagine what would happen if the people responsible for my pain and suffering would end up going through the same pain and suffering that I went through, but despite that it wasn't just their fault in was my own fault to for trusting others, yet I want to digress from my own problems and apologize since I don't know the best way or method to forget something.

 

[Hollowman]

Take loads of psych drugs. They'll wipe out everything.