scholarly journals Imagery Rehearsal Based Art Therapy: Treatment of Post-traumatic Nightmares in Art Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Haeyen ◽  
Merel Staal

Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) is effective for trauma-related nightmares and is also a challenge to patients in finding access to their traumatic memories, because these are saved in non-verbal, visual, or audiovisual language. Art therapy (AT) is an experiential treatment that addresses images rather than words. This study investigates the possibility of an IRT-AT combination. Systematic literature review and field research was conducted, and the integration of theoretical and practice-based knowledge resulted in a framework for Imagery Rehearsal-based Art Therapy (IR-AT). The added value of AT in IRT appears to be more readily gaining access to traumatic experiences, living through feelings, and breaking through avoidance. Exposure and re-scripting take place more indirectly, experientially and sometimes in a playlike manner using art assignments and materials. In the artwork, imagination, play and fantasy offer creative space to stop the vicious circle of nightmares by changing theme, story line, ending, or any part of the dream into a more positive and acceptable one. IR-AT emerges as a promising method for treatment, and could be especially useful for patients who benefit least from verbal exposure techniques. This description of IR-AT offers a base for further research.

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 284-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Reynolds ◽  
Sheena Nayak ◽  
Christos Kouimtsidis

Aims and methodTo study intrusive phenomena relating to traumatic experiences in a community sample seeking treatment for substance use disorder and an in-patient sample from an addiction in-patient detoxification service in London. Perceived effect of drugs and drug use on traumatic intrusion and memory experiences was also analysed. The study was conducted using a semi-structured patient interview comprising a series of questionnaires.ResultsThe most frequently identified traumatic memories were those of traumatic bereavements. Substance use appears to have had the effect of dampening the memories for those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and significantly more individuals reported that their memories were less vivid and less distressing before they ceased substance use.Clinical implicationsThe findings suggest that continued substance use could in part be motivated by its capacity to dampen distressing memories within the PTSD group. This should be addressed within a treatment plan of comorbid PTSD.


2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tana Kröner ◽  
Kathrin Hansen ◽  
Regina Steil

Theoretischer Hintergrund: Chronische Alpträume stellen eine weit verbreitete Schlafstörung dar, welche einen hohen Leidensdruck hervorruft. Als besonders wirksam in der Behandlung gilt die Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT). Selbsthilfeprogramme stellen hierbei eine effektive, ökonomische Behandlungsoption dar. Fragestellung: Die vorliegende Pilotstudie untersucht die Wirksamkeit einer neuen, IRT-basierten, angeleiteten Selbsthilfe. Methode: 10 Patienten mit chronischen Alpträumen wurden im Rahmen von 4 face-to-face-Sitzungen vor Intervention (T1) sowie 4 Wochen (T2) und 3 Monate (T3) danach hinsichtlich Alptraumhäufigkeit sowie verschiedener psychosozialer Parameter untersucht. Ergebnisse: Die Alptraumhäufigkeit reduzierte sich innerhalb von 4 Wochen signifikant (T1-T2; Effektstärke: 1,0). Dieser Effekt blieb über 3 Monate stabil (T1-T3; Effektstärke: 1,26). Zudem reduzierten sich signifikant Depressions-, Angst- und Anspannungsparameter sowie das Stresserleben. Schlussfolgerung: Das deutschsprachige Selbsthilfemanual könnte eine wirksame Behandlungsmöglichkeit zur Reduktion von Alpträumen darstellen.


Schlaf ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 07 (02) ◽  
pp. 76-80
Author(s):  
Friedrich Gauger ◽  
Gerhart Schroff ◽  
Wilhelm Stork

Die Behandlung von Albträumen erfolgt bislang meist psychotherapeutisch. Ein in der Praxis bewährtes Verfahren ist die Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT). Untersuchungen zeigen, dass die Effektivität der IRT erhöht werden kann, wenn der Patient die Fähigkeit zum Klarträumen erlangt. Die gängige Technologie zur Klartrauminduktion kann bislang nur in entsprechend qualifizierten Schlaflaboren eingesetzt werden.Der REM-TRACKER bietet erstmals die Möglichkeit der Klartrauminduktion mittels einer einfach handhabbaren Technologie, die auch im häuslichen Umfeld eingesetzt werden kann.


2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052199793
Author(s):  
Dorota Dyjakon ◽  
Beata Rajba

Violence in intimate relationships is a major problem worldwide. Many women, despite having experienced violence from a partner, decide to remain in a relationship with the perpetrator. A special premise for such a decision is that the abusive partner undertakes therapy that serves to build security in the family. An important indicator of dealing with violence is post-traumatic growth (PTG), a concept introduced by Calhoun and Tedeschi (1998) to describe positive changes as a result of traumatic experiences. The purpose of the research was to assess PTG changes in the course of relationships in which the woman had experienced violence from her partner, but both her partner and she had undertaken therapy and changed their behavior ( N = 48). The conducted research used a demographic survey and two questionnaires: The Polish version of the Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R, Weiss, Marmara prepared by Juczyński and Ogińska-Bulik [2009]) examining three dimensions of trauma (intrusion, hyperarousal, and avoidance) and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory ( Tedeschi & Calhoun [2004] ; Polish version prepared by Ogińska-Bulik & Juczyński [2010] ). The studies showed that over a period of one and half years, significant changes in PTG had taken place. Reportedly, changes in self-perception and changes in relating to others have decreased, while appreciation of life increased but spiritual life remained the same. The research also allowed us to distinguish several groups of corelates in changes in individual PTG categories. The studies also indicate that building a close relationship with the person who caused the harm can limit the victim’s PTG.


Author(s):  
Frederic Busch ◽  
Barbara Milrod ◽  
Cory Chen ◽  
Meriamne Singer

This book, which operationalizes and articulates in detail a unique, brief, tested psychodynamic psychotherapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Trauma Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy [TFPP], describes how to perform this helpful treatment. The book provides tailored psychodynamic background that underpins these approaches, and explains the different phases of treatment. Additionally, it articulates common underlying dynamics of PTSD that the treatment commonly addresses in patients to bring about symptomatic relief. TFPP is being tested in two diverse populations: military Veterans with PTSD who are receiving care at three Veterans Administration Hospitals, and also among LGBTQ patients with PTSD. The book is focused on the authors’ experiences treating Veterans and many clinical examples are provided demonstrating how to work with these principles and approaches. In general, patients and therapists have found the treatment to be an extremely useful tool. Veterans have gained insight into the impact of traumatic experiences on various aspects of their lives and had improvements in dissociation, interpersonal engagement, anxiety, and anger/hostility. TFPP appears to be particularly effective for patients with prominent avoidance symptoms and those who are unwilling or unable to recount the details of their trauma directly. Patients have been found to be more affectively engaged and better connected to others (including the therapist) following treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-308
Author(s):  
John E Buonora ◽  
Patrick M Krum ◽  
Tomás Eduardo Ceremuga

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) continues to be one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States and may occur in response to traumatic experiences. Currently, there are no interventions that prevent the development of PTSD. L-Theanine (L-Th), a major compound in green tea has been found to decrease anxiety and prevent memory impairment and may have potential effects in the prevention of PTSD. Sixty rats were divided into six experimental groups: control vehicle, control L-Th, control naïve, PTSD vehicle, PTSD Pre-L-Th (prophylactic), PTSD Post-L-Th (non-prophylactic). PTSD was induced by a 3-day restraint/tail shock stress model. The effects of L-Th on neurobehavior were evaluated by Elevated Plus-Maze (EPM), Morris Water Maze (MWM), and Forced Swim Test (FST). Our study found that the total food intake weight of PTSD Pre-L-Th (prophylactic) rats were significantly increased compared to that of PTSD vehicle rats (p = .04). Administration of L-Th 24 hours before the initial PTSD event or for 10 days following the last PTSD stress event did not statistically improve mean open arm exploration on the EPM, spatial memory, and learning in the MWM or behavioral despair measured by the FST (p > 0.05). Although the 3-day restraint/tail shock stress model caused stress in the rodents, it did not produce reported PTSD-like anxiety and depression or spatial memory loss. The effect of Pre-L-Th or Post-L-Th treatment, on the neurobehavioral functions could not be effectively evaluated. However, this study provides a foundation for future studies to try different rodent PTSD models to induce PTSD-like neurobehavioral impairments to explore dosage, frequency, as well as the duration of L-Th administration before and/or after the post-traumatic event. The 3-day restraint/tail shock stress model caused stress in the rodents, Pre-L-Theanine treatment preconditioned the PTSD rats to endure stress.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Martinho ◽  
Gabriela Correia ◽  
Rafaela Seixas ◽  
Ana Oliveira ◽  
Soraia Silva ◽  
...  

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common anxiety mental disorder and can be manifested after exposure to a real or perceived life-threatening event. Increased noradrenaline and adrenaline in plasma and urine have been documented in PTSD. Dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) catalyzes the conversion of dopamine to noradrenaline and consequently, DBH inhibition reduces catecholamines. Our aim was to evaluate if nepicastat treatment decreases PTSD signs in an animal model. Wild-type (129x1/SvJ) female mice were submitted to PTSD induction protocol. DBH-inhibitor nepicastat (30 mg/kg) or vehicle (0.2% HPMC) were administered once daily since day 0 until day 7 or 12. The percentage of freezing was calculated on days 0, 1, 2, and 7, and behavioral tests were performed. Quantification of nepicastat in plasma and DBH activity in the adrenal gland was evaluated. Catecholamines were quantified by HPLC with electrochemical detection. mRNA expression of Npas4 and Bdnf in hippocampus was evaluated by qPCR.Mice in the PTSD-group and treated with nepicastat showed a decrease in freezing, and an increase in the time spent and entries in open arms in elevated plus maze test. In mice treated with nepicastat, adrenal gland DBH activity was decreased, and catecholamines were also decreased in plasma and tissues. On day 7, in mice treated with nepicastat, there was an increase of Npas4 and Bdnf mRNA expression in the hippocampus.In conclusion, DBH inhibitor nepicastat has an effect consistent with a decrease in the persistence of traumatic memories and anxiety-like behavior in this PTSD mice model. The disruption of traumatic memories through interference with the formation, consolidation, retrieval, and/or expression processes may be important to decrease PTSD symptoms and signs. The increase in Npas4 and Bdnf mRNA expression in the hippocampus may be important to develop a weaker traumatic contextual memory after nepicastat treatment.


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