Why can some people not let go of the past even if it's bad and the person has been hurt and abused?
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5 Answers to "Why can some people not let go of the past even if it's bad and the person has been hurt and abused?"
Posted by tiderider Jan 4th, 2013 at 10:26AM
Look up "amygdala" and you'll figure that bad memories are recalled much more intense and are also easier accessible than nice ones because it's much more important for our survival that we learn from bad experiences. And our brains don't distinguish if those memories come from eating a poisonous plant or from other sources of discomfort. They just say, hey, remember what has happened then and strictly avoid it now. Biologically speaking a very useful process as one contact with poison ivy is usually enough to teach you being on guard for the rest of your life.
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Posted by lostINneverland9 Jan 4th, 2013 at 5:06AM
It is part of who we are. No matter how bad it is, we can't.
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Posted by Adstars Jan 4th, 2013 at 5:00AM
Because the effects of the abuse can linger for life. A damaged individuel often has a kind of inbuilt self destruction mode that will undermine their every attempt to live a normal life and will always remind them of their past.
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Posted by guiltybyassociation Jan 4th, 2013 at 4:59AM
It's not always a matter of making a conscious decision to let go of the past. Certain events shape us and establish behavioural patterns that don' t become evident until much later. By the time a negative pattern is recognised, it may be so deeply ingrained that changing it involves breaking down everything you are and reconstructing yourself from the pieces. Some people go through years and years of behavioural therapy for a modicum of progress.
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Posted by Lostgirlinthecity Jan 4th, 2013 at 4:59AM
because some people believe that focusing on the past will help them figure out the future.
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