Intrusive autobiographical memories in depression and post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Recent research into involuntary, intrusive autobiographical memories has found that, although they are present in non‐clinical samples, they are much more common in patients with depression or post‐traumatic stress disorder. Compared to controls, patients report memories that intrude more frequently, are more distressing, and sometimes have unusual characteristics, such as the sensation of reliving the event at the present moment. Intrusive memories in PTSD differ primarily from those found in depression by the greater evidence for dissociation at the time of the original event. The intrusion and avoidance of these memories are related to other aspects of patients' cognitive performance, and predict the course of their disorder, even when initial symptom severity is statistically controlled. Theoretical implications for the study of autobiographical memory and for cognitive models of depression and PTSD are discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Autobiographical memory in the euthymic phase of recurrent depression.

“…Although these cues also seem relevant to the self-representation of patients who previously had depression, more research of the differential effects of different AMT cues in various clinical groups is needed. Moreover, it seems worthwhile to supplement memory cue-word tasks such as the AMT with procedures to try to capture the occurrence and quality of more spontaneous autobiographical memories as typically found in depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (Brewin, 1998). Second, in the present study patients with only one prior depressive episode and/or those who have been euthymic for more than 2 years were excluded.…”

The consciousness continuum: from “qualia” to “free will”

“…Similarly, unwanted or intrusive memories and thoughts may keep coming to mind despite attempts to suppress them (Brewin, 1998). In these cases the retrieval processes proceed unintentionally but the end result is usually intentionally produced.…”

Thinking about it: thoughts about health and valuing QALYs

“…Generally speaking, positive (negative) thoughts result in higher (lower) experienced utility (Watkins, 2008) and returning to the same repetitive thoughts, such that they become intrusive, is associated with lower experienced utility (Klinger and Cox, 1987). At the extreme, constant rumination has seriously debilitating effects on mental health (Brewin, 1998).…”