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Imagery rescripting for psychological disorder following cancer: A case study
Author(s) -
Whitaker Katriina L.,
Brewin Chris R.,
Watson Maggie
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
british journal of health psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 2044-8287
pISSN - 1359-107X
DOI - 10.1348/135910709x425329
Subject(s) - distress , psychology , psychological distress , psychotherapist , clinical psychology , depression (economics) , guided imagery , autobiographical memory , cognition , psychiatry , anxiety , mental health , economics , macroeconomics
Objectives Intrusive memories have been identified in cancer patients and associated with psychological distress and maladaptive adjustment. Imagery rescripting is a psychological therapy that has proved successful for reducing the impact and distress associated with intrusive memories in various populations (e.g. depression). This paper describes the first application of this technique for a cancer patient reporting intrusive memories. Design A single‐case design was used to assess the stand‐alone therapy. Results Imagery rescripting was associated with significant reductions in the adverse impact of intrusive memories and psychological distress and these effects remained at 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up. Conclusions Imagery rescripting shows promise for utility in medical patients experiencing intrusive memories.