Abstract

AbstractImagery rescripting (ImRs) is a psychological intervention designed to change the meaning of images and associated memories and reduce emotional distress. Recent studies have shown that ImRs can be successfully applied to many psychological problems and disorders; however, little has been reported on the application of ImRs for panic disorder (PD). Consequently, we explored the therapeutic effects of ImRs on patients with PD. Fifteen patients with PD received 16 individual cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) sessions weekly, including one ImRs session. Early traumatic memories associated with recurrent images in panic situations were identified and rescripted to alleviate maladaptive encapsulated beliefs. ImRs ratings (vividness and distress of the images and memories and conviction degree of encapsulated beliefs) were measured prior to and after ImRs. Self-negative contents not directly related to symptoms of panic attack were observed as common themes in the worst meaning of the image, the memory, and in the encapsulated belief. Whilst five (33%) patients had anticipatory anxiety, 10 (67%) patients had other self-negative beliefs. ImRs significantly reduced distress from images, memories and encapsulated beliefs; however, it did not change the vividness of images and memories. There was no significant correlation between the reduction in PD severity over the CBT program and the change in each ImRs rating. The results of this study are promising for certain aspects of panic disorder. However, further research is needed to overcome the limitations of this study.

Highlights

  • Interest in and applications of imagery rescripting (ImRs) are rapidly increasing (Arntz, 2012; Hagennars and Holmes, 2012)

  • Regarding the initial traumatic memory associated with the recurrent images, nine (60%) patients had a memory of the first panic attack, two (13%) patients had a memory of other panic attacks, and four (27%) patients had memories of events other than panic attacks

  • Self-negative contents not directly related to panic attack were observed in ImRs

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Interest in and applications of imagery rescripting (ImRs) are rapidly increasing (Arntz, 2012; Hagennars and Holmes, 2012). ImRs is a set of therapeutic techniques addressing specific memories of earlier experiences associated with present problems (Arntz, 2012). In an ImRs procedure, aversive autobiographical memories are rendered less unpleasant or emotional (Slofstra et al, 2016). ImRs describes a set of therapeutic techniques aimed at changing these negative meanings (Stopa, 2011). According to a historical review on ImRs by Edwards (2007), in the late 1980s and early 1990s, therapists such as Jeff Young (schema-focused therapy) and Mary-Ann Layden (personality disorder treatment) started to fully explain the application of imagery-based techniques in the framework of cognitive therapy (Young and Lindemann, 1992; Layden et al, 1993). Smucker developed an imagery-focused treatment for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, designed to alleviate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology and alter abuse-related beliefs and schemas (Smucker et al, 1995)

Objectives
Results
Conclusion

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.