Eye movement attenuation of intrusive social anxiety imagery: A pilot study

Homer, Sophie R.; Deeprose, Catherine

doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2017.11.003

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…According the literature single or combined usage of medical agents and cognitive behavioral therapies is the most common and effective method in treatment of SAD (Wild & Clark 2011). Recent research has shown that negative, intrusive mental imagery plays a prevalent and causal role in SAD (Homer & Deeprose 2018). In a study conducted in Turkey found average LSAS scores associated with childhood trauma experience among patients with SAD (Belli et al 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (Emdr) Treatment in Social Anxiety Disorder: A Case Report

Sağaltıcı

Demirci²

2019

Psychiat Danub

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (Emdr) Treatment in Social Anxiety Disorder: A Case Report

Sağaltıcı

Demirci²

2019

Psychiat Danub

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“…Moreover, a couple of interventions (mainly imagery with competing tasks), asked for any intrusive social imagery or specifically for prospective (flashforward) imagery. This is of interest as previous findings have shown that these forms of negative imagery appear prevalent and relevant as well in social anxiety (e.g., Ashbaugh, Fishman, and Houle‐Johnson 2019; Homer and Deeprose 2018; Thunnissen et al. 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…This gives rise to questions on the added value as well as the optimal timing of IR in current SAD treatment. Two other studies included a couple of minutes of imagery with an auditory task or IE with intrusive imagery that did not result in decreased imagery distress and vividness (while imagery with EM did result in decreased imagery distress and vividness; Homer, Deeprose, and Andrade 2016; Homer and Deeprose 2018). In the study that also assessed social anxiety as an outcome, the evaluated interventions (i.e., imagery with an auditory task and imagery with EM) did not result in decreased anxiety (Homer, Deeprose, and Andrade 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research in children and adolescents with social anxiety has shown similar upsetting imagery experiences (Chapman, Halldorsson, and Creswell 2020;Schreiber and Steil 2013). These negative images can take the form of prospective aversive outcomes, autobiographical memories of negative events, or other intrusive images (Ashbaugh, Fishman, and Houle-Johnson 2019;Homer and Deeprose 2018;Thunnissen et al 2022). Individuals are often able to recall an autobiographical memory of a negative event that seems to be linked to current imagery (Hackmann, Clark, and McManus 2000;Schreiber and Steil 2013).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Interventions Targeting Negative Mental Imagery in Social Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Characteristics and Outcomes

Thunnissen,

de Jong,

Rijkeboer

et al. 2024

Clin Psychology and Psychoth

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Psychological treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD) has been found to be less effective than for other anxiety disorders. Targeting the vivid and distressing negative mental images typically experienced by individuals with social anxiety could possibly enhance treatment effectiveness. To provide both clinicians and researchers with an overview of current applications, this systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the possibilities and effects of imagery‐based interventions that explicitly target negative images in (sub)clinical social anxiety. Based on a prespecified literature search, we included 21 studies, of which 12 studies included individuals with a clinical diagnosis of SAD. Imagery interventions (k = 28 intervention groups; only in adults) generally lasted one or two sessions and mostly used imagery rescripting with negative memories. Others used eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and imagery exposure with diverse intrusive images. Noncontrolled effects on social anxiety, imagery distress and imagery vividness were mostly large or medium. Meta‐analyses with studies with control groups resulted in significant medium controlled effects on social anxiety (d = −0.50, k = 10) and imagery distress (d = −0.64, k = 8) and a nonsignificant effect on imagery vividness. Significant controlled effects were most evident in individuals with clinically diagnosed versus subclinical social anxiety. Overall, findings suggest promising effects of sessions targeting negative mental images. Limitations of the included studies and the analyses need to be considered. Future research should examine the addition to current SAD treatments and determine the relevance of specific imagery interventions. Studies involving children and adolescents are warranted.

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Negative Flashforward Imagery in Adolescent Social Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot Study of Imagery Reports and a Short EMDR Intervention

Thunnissen,

de Jong,

Weijermans

et al. 2024

Clin Psychology and Psychoth

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Psychological treatments for social anxiety disorder (SAD) in adolescents have shown poorer outcomes than for other anxiety disorders. A relevant factor to consider for improving outcomes may be negative imagery. In this pilot study, we examined negative ‘flashforward’ imagery of feared catastrophic outcomes in adolescents with SAD and evaluated the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of a short eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) intervention targeting this imagery. We used a case series design with a 1‐week baseline period. Outcomes included symptoms of social anxiety and avoidance related to selected social situations and features of associated flashforward imagery as the proposed mechanism of change during the intervention. We found that six out of seven assessed adolescents reported to experience flashforwards and rated image distress, vividness and threat appraisal as high. In these six participants (aged 14–17 years old), the short EMDR flashforward intervention appeared feasible and was followed by a decrease in social anxiety and avoidance in five participants, while no notable changes were observed during the baseline period. Furthermore, we observed a decrease in flashforward imagery features in at least five participants. Nonparametric tests of the overall (group‐based) changes during the intervention period partially supported these findings. Limitations include the small sample size and the lack of a control group. Results suggest that vivid and distressing flashforward imagery is a common experience and that targeting flashforwards with EMDR may be beneficial in treating social anxiety in youth. Further experimental research on effects and added value to current treatments is necessary.Trial Registration: Dutch Clinical Trial Register (National Trial Register [NTR]): NL8974

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Eye movement attenuation of intrusive social anxiety imagery: A pilot study

Abstract:  Eye movements (EMs) are applied to involuntary and intrusive social anxiety imagery  Images were lower in vividness after EMs than after a control task  EMs may prevent increases in intrusive image vividness following exposure

Cited by 8 publications

References 38 publications

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (Emdr) Treatment in Social Anxiety Disorder: A Case Report

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (Emdr) Treatment in Social Anxiety Disorder: A Case Report

Interventions Targeting Negative Mental Imagery in Social Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Characteristics and Outcomes

Negative Flashforward Imagery in Adolescent Social Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot Study of Imagery Reports and a Short EMDR Intervention

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