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Imagery rescripting of early memories in social anxiety disorder: An experimental study

Nilsson, Jan-Erik LU ; Lundh, Lars-Gunnar LU and Viborg, Gardar LU (2012) In Behaviour Research and Therapy 50(6). p.387-392
Abstract
Abstract in Undetermined
NTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests that negative self imagery plays an important role in social anxiety disorder (SAD) as a maintaining factor, and that early memories of traumatic experiences are linked to recurrent catastrophic images. Previous research has showed that cognitive restructuring combined with imagery rescripting of these memories may affect recurrent images resulting in less imagery distress and less anxiety in social situations. The present study replicated these effects using (a) a modified treatment with imagery rescripting without cognitive restructuring, and (b) an experimental between-groups design. METHOD: Patients with SAD (N = 14) were randomised either to imagery rescripting of early... (More)
Abstract in Undetermined
NTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests that negative self imagery plays an important role in social anxiety disorder (SAD) as a maintaining factor, and that early memories of traumatic experiences are linked to recurrent catastrophic images. Previous research has showed that cognitive restructuring combined with imagery rescripting of these memories may affect recurrent images resulting in less imagery distress and less anxiety in social situations. The present study replicated these effects using (a) a modified treatment with imagery rescripting without cognitive restructuring, and (b) an experimental between-groups design. METHOD: Patients with SAD (N = 14) were randomised either to imagery rescripting of early memories, or to a reading task. RESULTS: Follow-up after 1 week showed that the intervention led to significant improvements in memory and image distress, and reduced fears of negative evaluation and social interaction. DISCUSSION: The results indicate that imagery rescripting is effective even without cognitive restructuring and question the importance of the latter. However, the small sample limits the strength of the conclusions. CONCLUSION: Imagery rescripting of early distressful memories may be a powerful intervention in the treatment of SAD. (Less)
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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Behaviour Research and Therapy
volume
50
issue
6
pages
387 - 392
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • wos:000305168700004
  • scopus:84860572256
ISSN
1873-622X
DOI
10.1016/j.brat.2012.03.004
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
ac817599-a92e-495e-be2c-301b95d169a0 (old id 2376511)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 13:25:37
date last changed
2022-04-21 21:36:13
@article{ac817599-a92e-495e-be2c-301b95d169a0,
  abstract     = {{Abstract in Undetermined<br/>NTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests that negative self imagery plays an important role in social anxiety disorder (SAD) as a maintaining factor, and that early memories of traumatic experiences are linked to recurrent catastrophic images. Previous research has showed that cognitive restructuring combined with imagery rescripting of these memories may affect recurrent images resulting in less imagery distress and less anxiety in social situations. The present study replicated these effects using (a) a modified treatment with imagery rescripting without cognitive restructuring, and (b) an experimental between-groups design. METHOD: Patients with SAD (N = 14) were randomised either to imagery rescripting of early memories, or to a reading task. RESULTS: Follow-up after 1 week showed that the intervention led to significant improvements in memory and image distress, and reduced fears of negative evaluation and social interaction. DISCUSSION: The results indicate that imagery rescripting is effective even without cognitive restructuring and question the importance of the latter. However, the small sample limits the strength of the conclusions. CONCLUSION: Imagery rescripting of early distressful memories may be a powerful intervention in the treatment of SAD.}},
  author       = {{Nilsson, Jan-Erik and Lundh, Lars-Gunnar and Viborg, Gardar}},
  issn         = {{1873-622X}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{6}},
  pages        = {{387--392}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Behaviour Research and Therapy}},
  title        = {{Imagery rescripting of early memories in social anxiety disorder: An experimental study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2012.03.004}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.brat.2012.03.004}},
  volume       = {{50}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}