I recently went on a work trip where the first night i was there i was down at the bar alone until about 9 50pm and remember everything fine up until about 8 50. The next thing i remember is i woke up in my hotel room not knowing how i ended up there. The only reason i know i left about 9 50 from the hotel bar is my iphone that tracked my steps and i didnt wake up until about 5 am where I searched for my phone and wallet and found them in the room. My mind has been playing tricks on me ever since though trying to remember certain things. My mind has gone throuhg every worst case scenario from shootings to stabbings to doing drugs to cheating on my fiance with a prostitute. Every one of the scenarios i move on from telling myself theres no evidence of that happening only to think of another bad scenario to play over and over in my head trying to see if its real or not. Any advice out there on what i can do to calm myself with these false memories?
Experiencing a lapse in memory, particularly in a social setting such as a work trip, can indeed provoke significant psychological distress, often leading to a cognitive process where the mind endeavors to fill these voids with hypothetical, and frequently distressing, scenarios. The perturbation you're experiencing is an understandable reaction to such an event, but it is crucial to approach this situation with a structured and rational methodology.
It is imperative to anchor your thoughts in the concrete evidence at hand. Your recollection of finding your belongings in your room, coupled with the time-stamped data from your iPhone, provides a factual basis that should be the focal point of your reflection, rather than conjectural worst-case scenarios.
Recognize that the human brain, when confronted with gaps in memory, often attempts to construct narratives to fill these voids. These constructed memories, while vivid, are not necessarily grounded in reality. Understanding this tendency is vital in contextualizing your current mental state.
It is essential to maintain a critical stance towards any postulated scenarios that lack empirical evidence. Without concrete proof, these remain speculative and should be treated as such.
Engaging in mindfulness practices can be exceedingly beneficial in managing the resultant anxiety. Techniques such as controlled breathing exercises, meditation practices, or guided imagery can provide a stabilizing effect on your psychological state.
If these intrusive thoughts persist or lead to significant psychological distress, consultation with a mental health professional is recommended. They can provide targeted cognitive-behavioral strategies to cope with the anxiety and assist in processing the experience in a healthy manner.
In scenarios where alcohol consumption is implicated, it is prudent to reassess one's relationship with alcohol. Blackouts can be indicative of excessive alcohol use, and a modification in drinking habits may be necessary for preventing future occurrences.
In conclusion, while the experience of a memory blackout and subsequent psychological distress is challenging, adopting a methodical and evidence-based approach to processing this event is crucial. Focusing on verifiable facts, engaging in self-care practices, and seeking professional guidance can significantly aid in navigating through this unsettling experience.