Posted by skeptic on April 9, 2004, at 11:13:59
In reply to Re: article about altering memories to prev. PTSD, posted by shadows721 on April 6, 2004, at 22:49:20
Read this article this AM, and it strikes me that here, too, like with much of human behavior, we're posed with the dilemma of what *might* (though I stress might, since, as we see, not even all individuals who have experienced PTSD think that this pill would be a good thing) be good for an individual versus what might be important for society.
I give the example of Vietnam, though there are countless other examples of mass tragedy that I can think of. As the article mentions, many Vietnam vets came back with horrific memories, memories that invariably affected their families and others who come into contact with them. From these vets, America as a nation has learned (well, let's hope we did) to be more careful about getting involved in non-domestic disputes, and we are all reminded of just how horrific war can be.
It is this kind of collective memory that strikes me as important if a nation (or people) is to learn from its past, well beyond the time of a particular horrific event.
I suppose that (again continuing with the Vietnam example) one could argue that those back at home saw the pictures and/or heard the news, and that textbooks serve to teach later generations, but I don't think any of these really substitute for real live vets recounting their intensely emotional memories even years afterwards, reminding us know just how horrific things were (and still could be).
> I, too, suffer from complex PTSD. Part of my therapy is to recall the painful experience, so that I don't continue to unconsciously react to things inappropriately. With that in mind, how woud a drug amnesia help me? I already have a self induced amnesia that is causing Hell in my life. I react like a 3 y/o to adult situations. If I never remember, how can I process these feelings from no where land?
>
> Once I have these memories come up, I actually have more respect for myself. I use to think that I was a total whimp. I can't handle a lot of things. Well, now, I know there is a darn good reason. Now, I can say - "I looked the Devil in the eyes and lived to actually speak about the unspoken." When I think that I can't do something, I say to myself, "You have faced the worst fear (actually dying for a split second or two), so how can this be any worse than that." This pill sounds more like a denial pill to me. Why do we need to deny our history to ourselves and for what purpose? Yes, these memories are horrors, but you learn from them. You learn who you are and what made you this way. To be in denial by a pill, would hinder self awareness and learning to me. That's just my opinion for myself.
poster:skeptic
thread:332099
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040409/msgs/334485.html