The DOI matches its Crossref record; 63 of the 64 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
When the present visits the past: Updating traumatic memories in social phobia
Open accessAbstract
Research suggests that distorted images of the self are common in social phobia and play a role in maintaining the disorder. The images are often linked in thematic and sensory detail to distressing memories that are clustered around the onset or worsening of the disorder. This has led to speculation about the likely benefit of working directly with these memories to improve symptoms of social phobia. In this exploratory study, we describe a process of cognitive restructuring followed by imagery rescripting to update the meanings of distressing memories and images in social phobia. We first present illustrative clinical examples and then data of 14 patients with social phobia, on whom we developed this approach. Patients attended an imagery rescripting session in which a semi-structured interview was used to identify their recurrent images, the associated memories and their meanings. Next the identified memory was evoked and elaborated. We updated the meaning of the memory by first using cognitive restructuring to arrive at new perspectives and then linking these perspectives with the memory using imagery techniques. The procedure resulted in significant within session change in beliefs, and in image and memory distress and vividness. One week later significant change was seen in social phobia cognitions and a self-report measure of social anxiety. Rescripting distressing memories in social phobia appears to be an effective way of modifying maladaptive beliefs linked to recurrent negative imagery. This paper presents our exploratory investigation of how to work with the memories and encourages more rigorous investigation in this area.
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Metadata
- Authors
- Wild, J., Hackmann, A., & Clark, D. M.
- Affiliations
- King's College London (GB)
- University of Oxford (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Wild, Jennifer
- Venue
- Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2007-12
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 386-401
- ISSN
- 0005-7916 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3111808
- OpenAlex
- W2093164948
- Cited by
- 177
- References
- 64
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 7.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Wellcome Trust (069777)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Keywords
- social anxiety disorder, social anxiety, traumatic memory, imagery rescripting, cognitive restructuring, self-image, maladaptive beliefs, memory updating, memory vividness
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Cognition, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Interview, Psychological, Male, Phobic Disorders, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Treatment Outcome, Imagery, Psychotherapy, Substance-Related Disorders
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