What would be the first painful memory you would wish to "erase"? How do you imagine your life would change?

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 23:11:36 -0500

Dutch psychology professor Merel Kindt has seemingly found a way to erase the emotional anxiety associated with bad memories without erasing the memories themselves.
http://nypost.com/2016/02/10/thanks-to-science-you-can-soon-wipe-out-your-worst-memories/

Thanks to science, you can soon wipe out your worst memories

Imagine being able to erase your most traumatic memories. For a soldier, that would mean no longer being haunted by images from the battlefield. For a movie critic, no longer recalling having seen ...

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 10 at 2016 11:31 PM

SPC David S. — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 23:31:01 -0500

I don't believe we have yet matured enough to responsibly carry on detached from our emotional anguish. While it is painful I think it my help in keeping us in line

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 10 at 2016 11:37 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 23:37:08 -0500

Have you ever read War and Peace or watched the filmed adaptation that recently aired on BBC? The conclusion speaks for me in this matter. Fundamentally, I wouldn't change a thing for fear of disturbing the delicate balance of events that brought me to where I am today. Also, all the pain and suffering taught me to appreciate the good and make it even sweeter. As the man says, living well is the best revenge. So, no, I wouldn't want to wipe out my memories, not even one of them (including the bride from hell)

Response by SFC Wesley Arnold, Jr made Feb 11 at 2016 11:28 PM

SFC Wesley Arnold, Jr — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 23:28:13 -0500

This is not a new therapy and is given in two basic formats: the VA prefers to use Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and within civilian therapy they use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Both versions are said to isolate and remove the trauma of one event at a time. This is continued until all or most of the compounding memories that are the active or debilitating components of an individual's PTSD is under control. The point of these therapies are not to remove memories or to forget someone, but to make it less painful or detrimental.

Both are said to be a means to an end; however, it was recommended to me that before starting either one everything (personal) should be in order. All outside stressor like major financial, marital, work related problems, etc. should be addressed before starting. You also need to have some faith and a bit of confidence to use the program. It's not for everyone right away.

The article also suggests the use of the drug Propanolol (it's Beta Blocker), this may be the way for some; however, as a previous user of Propanolol you need to check all side effects and cross effects with other medications you might take.

One of the side strongest side effect can be irreversible asthma, so insure before or while using Propanolol, I would recommend seeing a Pulmonologist. This was the effect that I had, the onset of asthma and eventually COPD.