The connection between memory and self-perception is clinically significant, as distorted self-perceptions are at the core of many disorders. These include PTSD, depression, social anxiety and personality and eating disorders. Negative self perceptions encapsulate patients’ self-defeating beliefs about themselves, others and the world at large. Such perceptions often arise from abuse, neglect or bullying and can trap patients in a vicious cycle of self-criticism, negative emotion and maladaptive behavior.
Memory rescripting is a method we can offer such patients. It has shown efficacy as a stand-alone treatment and in combination with CBT. In this post I explain what memory rescripting is and how we think it might work, provide an overview of the outcome literature, and share two examples of rescripting from my own clinical practice.
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