How can I erase unpleasant memories?

Question

Do you know any techniques to erase unpleasant thoughts or memories that keep recussing?

Answer 1

You can't 'erase' memories. To do so would mean that you would 'lose' not only the memory but the spatial framework in which it is laid.

In other words, if you were bullied for 6 years, erasing those memories would create time-line gaps that could not be filled, and which would only lead to some sort of psychosis, since your mind would be constantly trying to 'remember' or link memories together than have been removed.

A better way is to 'overwrite' a memory. Like what happens when you overwrite a computer harddrive, overwriting involves inputing new data over the old, so that the computer reads the new data instead.

For example: if you got robbed in a certain store. Everytime you attempt to go into the store, your mind 'reads' the old data (in this case, memory) stored there. Since the old data is something you find unpleasant, you avoid the store, which means avoiding any possibility at being able to overwrite the old data. What you do is take someone you can trust with you to the store. Sitting there, talking with the person, maybe even playing some music or sharing a good conversation, will 're-write' the memory experience, so that the next time you pass by the store, instead of simply experiencing the old, unpleasant, memory, your mind now reads the recent pleasant memory. Since our minds are much more receptive to pleasant thoughts than negative ones, the pleasant experience will be the one you will most want to keep, and thus will more deeply over-write the bad unpleasant memory each time.

Erasing simply creates gaps, it's better to erase by replacement.

Answer 2

Sorry to hear that. I believe the reason many can not erase these memories is b/c it is a form of a defense mechanism. Whether it be a relationship that went wrong a death of a loved one etc. You learn to guard against these. Something I have tried to do is to pick a place I enjoy being - alone on the beach with the crashing waves. Try to imagine the detail of the smell of salt water etc. When these thoughts come along, try to flip the switch to this setting. Practice while these thoughts or memories are not bothering you. Hope things go better for you.

Answer 3

What you have to understand is that, your memory is a movie about your past, and that you have the ability to edit it. What you must do is every time you start thinking of a bad memory, tell the memory to move on, tell it you are not interested, and keep telling it and the next thing you know you are no longer thinking about it, and every time you find your self thinking about it, or any other bad memory do the same. Only allow something nice or positive to stay in your thoughts. Do what I say and you will find it works. Don't allow yourself to feel good about something that hurt you (the poor me syndrome).
Anyhow do what I say and you will find that you will be happier and more positive. Good luck.

Answer 4

Hi,
i don't think yo could....the only thing to do is work through them and then over come them. If we could erase bad memories so many people wouldn't be affected in adulthood by childhood experiences. I am sorry to hear something has been annoying you so much that you want to erase it completely. Try talking it through with someone, find out why its bothered you so much! Counselling may help!

Best of luck! x

Answer 5

It is my contention that unpleasant memories cannot be erased, but they can be assessed, and evaluated so they become an opportunity to learn about ourselves. The unpleasant response(s) will then become a tool that will help us cope with any negative new challenges we encounter

Answer 6

Just let go and move on! Unpleasant memories tend to stick on because we allow them to dominate our thoughts and life - bad things happens and tend to get bottled up inside us. You need to find someone you trust, someone close who is willing to listen to you without making unnecessary comments or advise and let them all out, get it off your chest, so to say! You will feel much better after that and in time , you will find these memories slowly fading away. Time heals!!! though there were be scars.

Answer 7

Unpleasant memories? The best way to do that is to deal woth them. They will continuously “pop up” coz u repressing them and they will keep coming in in different forms, (dreams) until u deal with them, and find out why they are unpleasant to you.

Answer 8

You can't erase memories unfotunately (wouldn't it be great if we could though!). HOwever, we can learn from them. I know it's not nice to have recurring but that's life i'm afriad. Try and work out what you can learn from these memories and maybe they will stop popping up in our head so often.

Answer 9

I think the only efficient way is to really ACEPT those happenings without feeding them or resist them. If the memories are painfull and you try to pull back and fight them they will come up again later and maybe stronger or disguised. Try to work out on them, without judgement or aversion, simply accepting with light heart and compassion. Easy to say, hard to practice, i know...
Might help to watch the documentary "What the blepp do we know?!?"

Answer 10

Learn everything that you can untill your brain gets full then learn some more untill the memories you want gone fall out. See and you thought it would be hard. It just takes time.