People may have different reasons as to why they may like to intentionally forget about something.
Memory
As per Very Well Mind, memory generally functions by encoding, keeping, and retrieving information. Encoding generally refers to learning new data, which the brain then proceeds to keep in long-term or short-term memory. Retrieving involves recalling memories.
Very Well Mind also adds that the human brain is more prone to retain information that is linked to strong emotions, be they negative or positive. This is in comparison to neutral data.
However, some memories just fade away as time passes. While this may be true, it may not be the case for all people, especially for those battling conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In such cases, remembering certain things could be disruptive or even disabling.
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Forget Something Intentionally
As per Healthline, research pertaining to purposeful forgetfulness has only been running for roughly ten years. Before this, memory research focused more on the retention and enhancement of memory.
The suppression and erasure of memories have been quite controversial topics. Research regarding medications for forgetting has become a subject of ethics-focused debates. However, despite the controversy, it could be a lifesaver for some.
There are, however, some mental recommendations that individuals can try out to help them intentionally forget something.
Role of Triggers
For one, considering the cue-dependent nature of memory, pinpointing particular triggers may be a good start. In most cases, something concrete from the environment may remind a person of the particular bad experience and end up triggering the retrieval of the negative memory.
While some memories could just have a few triggers, others may be linked to so many cues that are hard to avoid and handle.
Nevertheless, pinpointing the common ones can help handle and control these triggers. By consciously acknowledging a memory cue, one can try to suppress this negative link. Doing so more often will make it easier.
Thought Substitution
The New York Times also suggests a technique called thought substitution. Rather than focusing on the negative thought that is linked to a specific trigger, one can try to focus on associations that are more positive.
There is also a phenomenon known as direct suppression, where one consciously sets a mental boundary about what to not think about.
The New York Times also adds that, though these two approaches tend to work hand in hand, they actually have different neurological roots. Direct suppression depends on the right prefrontal cortex, while thought substitution depends on the left.
Brain Architecture
One's capacity to forget is partially affected by the architecture of the brain. As per the New York Times, studies have also revealed that sleep deprivation and grave stress make one worse at forgetting things motivatedly. Those who have gone through grave adversities tend to be better compared to those who did not have such experiences.
The New York Times notes that it may be unlikely for those who have endured a traumatic experience to completely erase the specific memory from their brain. What can be done is to control the intrusion of these negative memories.
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