Abstract
Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) is effective for trauma-related nightmares and is also a challenge to patients in finding access to their traumatic memories, because these are saved in non-verbal, visual, or audiovisual language. Art therapy (AT) is an experiential treatment that addresses images rather than words. This study investigates the possibility of an IRT-AT combination. Systematic literature review and field research was conducted, and the integration of theoretical and practice-based knowledge resulted in a framework for Imagery Rehearsal-based Art Therapy (IR-AT). The added value of AT in IRT appears to be more readily gaining access to traumatic experiences, living through feelings, and breaking through avoidance. Exposure and re-scripting take place more indirectly, experientially and sometimes in a playlike manner using art assignments and materials. In the artwork, imagination, play and fantasy offer creative space to stop the vicious circle of nightmares by changing theme, story line, ending, or any part of the dream into a more positive and acceptable one. IR-AT emerges as a promising method for treatment, and could be especially useful for patients who benefit least from verbal exposure techniques. This description of IR-AT offers a base for further research.
Highlights
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is characterized by severe symptoms of re-experiencing, hyper arousal, avoidance, flashbacks, negative beliefs, or expectations, sleep disturbance, and distressing dreams, or nightmares as consequences of one or more traumatizing experiences
Art therapy may offer a treatment alternative for patients who are unable to talk about traumatic memories and unable to tolerate exposure treatments
The literature content had to include interventions based on Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) and art therapy-based interventions in the treatment of traumatized adults suffering from nightmares following PTSD
Summary
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is characterized by severe symptoms of re-experiencing, hyper arousal, avoidance, flashbacks, negative beliefs, or expectations, sleep disturbance, and distressing dreams, or nightmares as consequences of one or more traumatizing experiences. It is diagnosed when the duration of the symptoms is more than 1 month and the disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Imagery Rehearsal Art Therapy people who suffer from nightmares that do not have a full PTSD diagnosis, but do have post-traumatic symptoms (Van Deth, 2017)
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