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The Use of Rescripting Imagery for People with Psychosis Who Hear Voices

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 August 2013

Rebecca Ison ,
Luigi Medoro ,
Nadine Keen  and
Elizabeth Kuipers
Rebecca Ison*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, UK
Luigi Medoro
Affiliation:
Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Nambour, Queensland, Australia
Nadine Keen
Affiliation:
South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, UK
Elizabeth Kuipers
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, and Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK
*
Reprint requests to Rebecca Ison, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, Early Intervention Team, 80 St Stephens Road, Norwich NR1 3RE, UK. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background: Image rescripting can be helpful in reducing the distress associated with intrusive images or memories across a range of disorders. Existing studies using imagery rescripting with people with psychosis have not included people who hear voices. Aims: This study aimed to explore the use of image rescripting with people with psychosis who have intrusive images or memories and hear voices. Method: This study used a one-off image rescripting session, using an A-B design with four participants with psychosis who were attending adult mental health community services. Results: Clinically significant reductions in distress, negative affect and reduced conviction in the beliefs associated with the imagery were reported at 1-week follow-up and maintained for three of the four participants at 1-month follow-up. Conclusions: The study offers early indications that image rescripting can be used as a treatment approach for people with psychosis. Exploring visual imagery and rescripting visual memories where appropriate may be a useful extension of cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp).

Keywords

Intrusive imageryhearing voicesimage rescriptingCBT for psychosis
Type
Empirically Grounded Clinical Interventions
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 42 , Issue 2 , March 2014 , pp. 129 - 142
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2013 

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