Erasing Memories: Next Treatment for PTSD and Other Trauma-Related Disorders?
Erasing Memories: Next Treatment for PTSD and Other Trauma-Related Disorders?
March 26, 2010 | PTSD, Traumatic Stress Disorders, Trauma And Violence, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Neuroscientists are exploring ways to erase bad memories in patients who have experienced traumatic events. But, is it ethical to erase a memory or flashback and the feelings associated with that moment to alleviate suffering, or should clinicians focus on therapies such as CBT and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help patients cope with a trauma?
Dr Anders Sandberg, neuroscientist and philosopher at the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University, and Dr Emily Holmes, senior research fellow and clinical psychologist at Oxford University, debate the issue in a podcast for the BBC.
I think that though it is not the most desirable way to treat PTSD, this line of research may result in a solid treatment for those extreme cases where nothing else works. In the event that a veteran for example has experienced extended periods of trauma and does not respond to the current treatments, he/she should be able to make an informed decision about the pros and cons to erasing those memories. If the procedure is concented to, I can see no reason why we should not research these methods further.