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Project

Mental imagery and imagery rescripting in eating disorders

Eating disorders (EDs) are serious and disabling mental disorders that that can have life-threatening consequences (Klump, Bulik, Kaye, Treasure, & Tyson, 2009), while mortality and suicidality rates in ED patients are among the highest of all mental disorders (Crow et al., 2009; Hoang, Goldacre, & James, 2014). Research indicates that intrusive images are a possible core mechanism in the maintenance of EDs (Somerville, Cooper, & Hackmann, 2007) and that intrusive images have been linked to autobiographical memories and associated core beliefs (Stopa, 2009). We propose based on theory and previous research a model of EDs where there are significant relationships between intrusive images, early autobiographical memories, and core beliefs that drive eating disorder symptoms. Given that early aversive memories and their associated intrusive images are functionally linked to core beliefs, the modification of these memories and intrusive images should also alter these core beliefs and, ultimately, ED symptoms. In Objective 1 of the research project we aim to test/confirm the proposed relationships in different subtypes of EDs (i.e., a trans-diagnostic approach). This will form the empirical foundation from where we can test the causal effects of these mechanisms (Objectives 2 and 3) in order to eventually modify ED symptoms in ED patients (Objective 4). The main method by which experimental manipulation will be brought about will be imagery rescripting.

Date:1 Oct 2015 →  5 Jul 2022
Keywords:Eating disorders, Intrusive images
Disciplines:Biological and physiological psychology, General psychology, Other psychology and cognitive sciences
Project type:PhD project