People can be trained to forget bad memories in potential breakthrough for emotional disorders

People can be trained to forget bad memories, according to new research which could herald a breakthrough in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

A study published this month by psychologists at the University of St Andrews reveals that individuals can be taught to forget feelings associated with emotional memories.The important findings may offer new potential for the treatment of people suffering from emotional disorders like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The research showed that although individuals could still accurately recall the cause of the event, they could be trained to forget the consequences and personal meaning associated with the memory.The work was carried out by researchers Dr Saima Noreen and Professor Malcolm MacLeod of the University’s School of Psychology.

Lead author Dr Noreen said: 'The ability to remember and interpret emotional events from our personal past forms the basic foundation of who we are as individuals.

'These novel findings show that individuals can be trained to not think about memories that have personal relevance and significance to them and provide the most direct evidence to date that we possess some kind of control over autobiographical memory.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2162606/People-trained-forget-bad-memories-potential-breakthrough-emotional-disorders.html#ixzz1yRB2uv6C