Smucker, Mervin (2013). The Triggering of Trauma-related Schemata.
Trauma-related schemas may be triggered by internal cognitive stimuli (e.g., dreams, flashbacks, emotional states, visual or verbal associations) or external, environmental stimuli (e.g., odors, a scary movie, a frightening encounter or event). For many traumatized individuals, the trauma-based powerlessness schema appears to form the nucleus of their PTSD syndrome, leaving them in a state of functional paralysis. A frequently observed behavioral manifestation of a powerlessness schema is the PTSD sufferer’s perceived helplessness vis-à-vis his or her intrusive, recurring flashbacks. The notion that they may have internal resources available to gain mastery and control over their recurring traumagenic flashbacks is incompatible with their powerlessness schema. As such, it is the maladaptive behavioral manifestations of the powerlessness schema that, directly or indirectly, should be the initial primary focus of PTSD-focused interventions.
Dr. Mervin Smucker is an international trauma consultant and author of numerous articles and books on trauma and cognitive-behavioural therapy interventions.
Mervin Smucker (2013)
Overcoming Depressive Moods, Lethargy
and Inactivity by Significantly Increasing One’s Level of Activity.
Pessimistic thoughts and negative predictions about upcoming activities or events (e.g., „I would not enjoy myself“, „No one would talk to me“, „I would look like a social misfit“, „I’m too tired to do anything“) can result in a loss of interest in activities, low energy, chronic fatigue, and social isolation. The deeper one sinks into a state of lethargy and inactivity, the more depressed one feels. The more depressed one feels, the less one feels like doing anything from which one could derive pleasure or a sense of accomplishment. This vicious cycle is propelled by negative thoughts that arise whenever one thinks about engaging in an activity.
One method for reversing this cycle of inactivity is to plan activities for each day and then to push onself to engage in these activities, regardless of how difficult this may be. The goal is not necessarily to accomplish everything on one’s activity schedule, but to become more externally-focused (and less internally-focused!) by increasing one’s level of physical activity. Clinical research on depression and activity clearly indicates that increasing one’s level of physical activity by itself is a significant mood elevator, a kind of behavioural anti-depressant. In short, the more active one is, the better one feels, and the better one feels, the more active one is likely to be.
Dr. Mervin Smucker is an international trauma consultant and author of numerous articles and books on trauma and cognitive-behavioural therapy interventions.
Mervin Smucker (2012)
Additional remarks and suggestions on the application of Imagery Rescripting in a clinical setting.
- Until the individual actually goes through and experiences Imagery Rescripting first-hand, any lengthy discussion or description of the imagery rescripting sessions is likely to be fairly abstract and intellectual in nature and should thus be limited.
- Experience has shown that the confrontation of perpetrators during imaginal encounters is more effective when it is a more or less realistic encounter; for example, the use of real people (e.g., police officers) is more effective than non-tangible, imaginary figures (e.g., angels).
- Altering original memories, retrieving memory fragments, or reconstructing vague or absent memories for conjectured abuse experiences are not goals of Imagery Rescripting.
- Childhood abuse victims frequently have a number of deeply-entrenched abuse-related schemas—e.g. schemas of helplessness, worthlessness, self-hatred, inherent badness, unlovability, incompetence, abandonment—that become activated when they attempt to engage in self-nurturing, self-soothing imagery. The term schema is a term first developed by Jean Piaget (1925) and refers to latent core beliefs about oneself and others that are unconditional in nature, highly resistant to change, and linked to high levels of affect when activated.
- Socratic Imagery, as opposed to Guided Imagery, is an integral part of Imagery Rescripting. Essentially Socratic Imagery, which is a form Socratic dialogue applied in the context of imagery modification, derives from the notion that it is healthier and more empowering for trauma victims to develop their own mastery/coping imagery than for it to be directed, dictated, or suggested to them by the therapist.
- An audiotape of each imagery session is made and given to the client for daily listening and processing between sessions.
- Since many childhood abuse victims have considerable difficulty with self-nurturance, clients are urged to continue developing self-nurturance imagery on their own indefinitely, or for as long as they derive benefit from it.
- Imagery Rescripting has been found to be effective not only with trauma and PTSD, but also with depression and a whole range of anxiety and adjustment disorders.
- Considerable success has been observed when using Imagery Rescripting within an inpatient group setting, a context which provides an opportunity for the patient doing Imagery Rescripting to receive additional support and empathy from other group members. In addition, when patients in the group observe Imagery Rescripting in action with a fellow group member, they tend to become more trusting of the group (and of the therapist) and are better able to develop the courage to engage in Imagery Rescripting themselves.
- Caveat: Clinicians are advised not to employ Imagery Rescripting clinically before receiving formal training in the procedure.
