An Interesting Question, I Thought....
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| Thu, 01-19-2006 - 12:26am |
Hey All,
Several days ago I read online about this study that is being conducted on a medication called propanolol. I read the information on AOL news.... unfortunately didn't think to write down the source so if anyone remembers reading about it and wishes to add more, please feel free to do so!
Apparently there are indications this medication MAY help to alleviate the bad memories resulting from certain traumatic experiences. Especially if given within a short time of the event's occurence. They asked "Would you take it?" I, in turn, would like to pose that question to you: IF such a medication were proven to take away any bad memories of a traumatic event you'd experienced, would you take it?
I worried when I read this study that there might be people out there who might start taking this pill or trying to get it prescribed in hopes of easing their own bad memories. (I know YOU ladies know that this could be VERY dangerous and is not at all advisable!) Then I considered the "would I or wouldn't I" question myself.
For me, the answer would be no. (And yes, I'm kinda surprised at that actually--lol!) Despite having had some pretty horrible memories to contend with regarding abuse as a child/teen, MY personal feeling is, if I take it away I take away a part of ME and my belief is that if I'm troubled by a particular memory that is a sign that something needs to be dealt with. Taking the memory away almost feels like denial to me. And on a larger scale, I wonder if that is yet another thing that humans shouldn't mess with? Any thoughts on this one??? Hugs, Lori


NO, I wouldn't take it. I agree that it's unnatural and creepy.
But most of all, it wouldn't work. You see, it's not just the memories that hurt us. It's the bad habits that we've developed to cope with the memories- and the self destructive personality traits. It's the emotions and feelings and aftermath of the memories.
So all this drug would do is take away the reason- we'd still feel like cr*&, but not know why! At least now, I know why I'm so timid with low self esteem. I know why I do certain things and feel certain ways, at least sometimes. Mess with my memory..and all I know is I'm still a mess, but for no apparent reason. How could that help anyone?
And worst of all, without memories you are doomed to repeat the horrors of the past. Say for instance a woman was severly abused by her husband. Well, she gets therapy and divorces him. And the next time she meets a man who acts and talks like her ex...she knows to run like the wind! But if she forgot the abuse, how would she recognize the signs if it's starting to happen again? No, she'd naively fall into the trap all over again. I would never take that drug.
Hey Blue,
no way would I take something like that and here are my reasons
lets say it does work then how are we to cope with things it is a unnatural way to cope with things that hurt us lets say I did take it then all of a sudden I am not able to take it any longer how would I beable to cope with the pain.
the only way to get rid of our pain is to deal with the bad stuff that hurt us and learn to deal with it in a different way then the ones we have come to accept as normal.
Mary
Hey Abby,
First let me say, excuse my absence this week. I'm trying to get the school and internet schedule worked out, as well as my new home. I will try to be more on the ball next week.
As for the question. As distressing as they are I might not be the same person without having gone through what I have. Still, risking that. I wish I could forget and would probably take it.
Sandra.
Hi Sandra,
Hey Michelle,