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Brief cognitive therapy of nightmares and post‐traumatic ruminations in a man with a learning disability
Author(s) -
Willner Paul
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
british journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.479
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8260
pISSN - 0144-6657
DOI - 10.1348/0144665042388919
Subject(s) - psychology , dream , intervention (counseling) , cognition , psychotherapist , clinical psychology , psychiatry , developmental psychology
Objectives: This is a case study of the treatment of two recurrent nightmares, one of which was accompanied by congruent post‐traumatic daytime ruminations, in a man with a mild to moderate learning disability. Method: Treatment was by a cognitive intervention in which the patient was taught new positive endings to his dream stories. Results: Both of the nightmares, as well as the post‐traumatic ruminations, responded to treatment, and gains were maintained at 12‐month follow‐up. Conclusions: Cognitive treatment of nightmares can be successful even in a patient with very limited intellectual abilities. The discussion considers the factors that may have been responsible for the success of the intervention in a man who would not be considered an obvious candidate for cognitive therapy.