Summary of Francine Shapiro's Getting Past Your Past

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 Our minds are programmed to react in the same way as our bodies, which can sometimes lead to automatic responses that are not always positive. The same brain processes that allow us to recognize a rhyme, or sing along with a tune we haven’t heard in 20 years, can also lead to anxiety, depression, and at times physical pain. #2 The first case is the most common, and it stems from the fact that our brains store experiences as memories. These memories include experiences that took place years ago, and our conscious mind is often unaware that they have any impact on us at all. #3 When we understand the connections between our present problems and past memories, we can work to change them. It is not just understanding where something comes from but also knowing what to do about it that is important. #4 The brain’s information processing system is what is targeted by the therapy known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. By activating this system, old memories can be processed and discarded, and new memories can be stored in a way that is no longer damaging.