In my final year of high school, I undertook a course load that was extremely high. This course load, in addition to the requirement of studying for numerous standardized tests / college admissions tests made me quite stressed in the first half of senior year. This eventually developed into a condition similar to depression (though not quite at that magnitude), and I began seeing a psychologist regularly. At the time I got really into the Beatles, and I found that listening to their music was a great coping strategy. Time went on and I gradually grew out of my slump, and actually got to enjoy the latter half of senior year. However, now, whenever I listen to the Beatles, or any other music I listened to near that gloomy time, I am flooded by bad memories and emotions that take a toll on my entire day, sometimes the entire week. I really don’t like this, as the Beatles is my favorite band and I would very much like to listen to them again happily.
However, it’s not only music, but other activities I take part in as well. For example, studying calculus or biology also brings back the same bad memories because I haven’t done those subjects since that time.
I’ve also noticed that all the other music I listened to after this period is making me sad, even if the period in time was a happy one. Is there any reason in particular why this happens? Are there any strategies to overcome the sadness? Could this possibly be a homesick reaction, due to the fact that I am in my freshman year of college?
A: I admire your insight in describing this conditioned response. Just like someone who loved dogs might become afraid of them if they were bitten by one, your love of the Beatles has become conditioned and generalized to not only the Beatles, but to other music as well.
The university has a counseling center with therapists trained in untangling this type of stress related conditioning. There are several effective ways to unhook the memories, and it would be best to work with a therapist who can walk you through the process. They can help you, as Lennon and McCartney said, get your feet back on the ground.
Wishing you patience and peace,
Dr. Dan
Proof Positive Blog @ PsychCentral
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