Exploratory study of imagery rescripting without focusing on early traumatic memories for major depressive disorder

Abstract

BackgroundMental imagery has a more powerful impact on our emotions than thinking in words about the same material. Treating intrusive images with imagery rescripting (IR) has been reported for various disorders, including post‐traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder. There has been less research about IR as a major depressive disorder (MDD).AimsWe examined whether IR without focusing on early traumatic memories is effective in MDD.MethodsWe enrolled 19 participants with MDD, who received 15 weekly sessions of full CBT, including two sessions for IR of intrusive images and, separately, for memory rescripting. Before and after the IR intervention, participants were asked to rate the intrusive images they experienced against, an intrusion index that included difficulty (interference with daily life), uncontrollability, distress caused by the negative image, and vividness. We recorded the contents of each participant's negative and positive imagery to classify these.ResultsThe intrusion index scores decreased after the IR sessions. Negative images experienced by the participants while in a depressive mood were categorized into three different types: blame, social exclusion, and loneliness. The rescripted positive images were categorized into good relations and worthy self (competent self).ConclusionsThese results suggest that IR of intrusive images without focusing on early traumatic memories may usefully be incorporated into routine CBT sessions for MDD.

Alterations of mental defeat and cognitive flexibility during cognitive behavioral therapy in patients with major depressive disorder: a single-arm pilot study

“…Many patients with PTSD experience flashbacks as still and static images as a part of fragmented and disorganized trauma memories and have difficulty distinguishing between images and memories [5]. In the previous study, images are defined as still and static pictures for a very short time, such as flashbacks [5]. Conversely, memories are defined as moving and dynamic pictures for a longer time, such as autobiographical memories, and consist of serial images [5].…”

“…In the previous study, images are defined as still and static pictures for a very short time, such as flashbacks [5]. Conversely, memories are defined as moving and dynamic pictures for a longer time, such as autobiographical memories, and consist of serial images [5]. Further, intrusive memories are those memories that are “spontaneous involuntary memories of a (mostly) negative event that repeatedly intrude upon consciousness, often against one’s will; they are hard to control and may disrupt one’s ongoing activities” (p. 101) [6].…”

Integrated cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain

“…Based on our previous studies to develop our new CBT program for panic disorder [ 13 – 15 ] and for major depressive disorder [ 16 , 17 ] based on the Clark and Wells model for social anxiety disorder, [ 18 – 20 ] we incorporated the following 4 sessions that have not been used in CBT protocols for chronic pain (Table 1 ).…”

A Narrative Identity Perspective on Mechanisms of Change in Imagery Rescripting

“…The minority of studies which looked at beliefs associated with the rescripted memories (the “ encapsulated beliefs” ) showed reductions following ImRs. Subsequently published research has examined the effects of ImRs in binge eating disorder ( 4 ), obsessive-compulsive disorder ( 5 – 7 ), major depressive disorder ( 8 , 9 ), illness anxiety disorder ( 10 ), social anxiety disorder [SAD; ( 11 , 12 )], borderline personality disorder ( 13 ), psychosis ( 14 ), and voice hearers ( 15 ). Overall, this research supports previous findings on ImRs outcomes.…”