Imagery rescripting for recurrent, distressing images

Abstract

Intrusive images are a familiar aspect of daily experience that, when persistent and unwanted, may cause emotional distress. In many cases, images accompany disturbing and repetitive thoughts and ruminations. In others, images are the primary mental experience. This article describes the use of a therapy procedure—imagery rescripting (IR)—in the treatment of distressing intrusive images that occur spontaneously but are not memories of actual events or experiences (i.e., flashbacks, intrusive memories). Eleven individuals who reported recent onset of such images, and who did not benefit from brief treatment with imaginal exposure, subsequently improved significantly with one trial of IR. Subjective Units of Discomfort (SUDS) data and two case studies are presented. Results support the use of IR in the treatment of repetitive, distressing images that persisted despite previous personal efforts (distraction, reasoning) and clinical intervention with imaginal exposure.