Therapies involving memories

[james1]

Sorry, I don't know where the search function is. I wanted to start this and see if anyone wants to share their experiences. I'm finding it very scary thinking about my next session on Wednesday!

My psychologist and I are working on Schema Therapy and we've done work on 1) distress tolerance, 2) a schema logbook, and 3) imagery rescripting. The first two have been okay, though I have to admit I'm only doing my "homework" probably half to three-quarters of the time. But last week we started the imagery rescripting and that was really hard.

A brief description of imagery rescripting: This technique involves picturing and describing a recent upsetting memory including the sensory information, thoughts and feelings. The patient then thinks of the earliest childhood memory associated with these same feelings then pictures and describes this older painful memory. The therapist or patient "steps in" to the memory to ensure the child version of the patient has their emotional needs met in the "rescripted" memory. For example, they may step in to argue with the punitive parent on behalf of the child-patient. They then leave the revised memory when the needs have been met and the child-patient feels safe. Continued application of this technique is designed to help the patient link current experiences and feelings with unmet childhood needs, and help them develop the "healthy adult" mode which ensures their emotional needs today can be met.

I found this really difficult because, even though I'd chosen an early memory which I didn't think had any emotions attached to it (falling off my skateboard and having to wait over an hour before my mother came back), listening to my psychologist tell off my mum-memory for not being there just shattered me.

I'm not sure how to put it. It felt like I'd deliberately forgotten how much I wanted things like someone to stay and watch, to be there if I fell, to smile if I did something well, and to give me encouragement if I almost did a trick (to be honest, I was just trying to stay on the board while going downhill). I always knew I wanted these things because I was really envious of my friends' great families, but never getting that from my parents just meant I tried to bury them. And having them brought up again was just too much.

It wasn't even "traumatic" as far as experiences go, but the emotional pain felt so real. So I'm feeling nervous and afraid about going on Wednesday.

No characters left, hope to hear from others!

[Emmy.]

Hi James,

Sorry I've not experienced that but I have tried to dos search for you not sure if these link will work but I've done a search for you and saw that ChrisB was able to post threads but he may have been able to do it because he's a BB staff member but I'll try for you.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/schema-therapy-for-anxiety

[Emmy.]

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/treatments-health-professionals-and-therapies/schema-therapy

[james1]

Thanks Emmy. They were interesting reads.

[Emmy.]

Ill be thinking of you tomorrow James. Sorry I can't help you more.

[Emmy.]

How did you go today James?? xx

[blondguy]

Hey James

I just read your thread and my apologies for the belated reply..

This is where I really do feel old :-). I have read about Schema Therapy but I have no knowledge on it where my own recovery was concerned. I do see a lot of thinking and analysis happening which is fine as recovery is crucial of course.

James said: "This technique involves picturing and
describing a recent upsetting memory including the sensory information,
thoughts and feelings. The patient then thinks of the earliest childhood
memory associated with these same feelings then pictures and describes
this older painful memory"

I understand where you are coming from James and you have a great psychologist that you are working with. I have to re-read the info on Schema Therapy and digest it properly

Since I have been of no help...I might go back to the drawing board on this one.....seriously....I am stuck 🙂

I do hope that your appointment was productive and helpful.

My kind thoughts as always

Paul

[james1]

Hi Emmy and Paul,

Thanks for the kind messages. I completely understand that it's hard to respond about a therapy we've not had experience with!

Schema Therapy is very interesting, though I'm still very new into it. I might post something when I get further in, but it's based on the idea that people have different maladaptive schemas - "bad" ways of looking at the world - and different coping modes. Some of these coping modes are unhealthy (e.g. overcompensating, detaching) and therapy is designed to let the "healthy adult" take over.

My session was okay. We didn't go through the imagery rescripting because I didn't feel like I could mentally handle it yesterday.

I've been really on edge recently and displaying all the symptoms of anxiety but without actually emotionally feeling anxious. In terms of my schema coping modes, it sounds like I'm distressed and scared of being lonely ("Vulnerable Child") but I'm also detaching and blocking out the emotions ("Detached protector"). So I physically feel sick but without emotionally feeling sick. Schema Theory says this is due to my upbringing.

Anyway, I hope that gives some little bit of insight into Schema Therapy and how it would interpret a real life situation.

James

[blondguy]

Hey James.....I have still to look at Schema therapy and thankyou for the description of it so I have a rough idea of what the therapy entails...It seems to be very detailed..

You are the same age as I was when the anxiety sunk its teeth into me......and you are a legend for being so pro-active with microsoping the symptoms which is more than understandable...but not necessarily productive

I noticed on your other post that you are doing it hard at the moment.

If I can ask a dumb question James....What are you seeking right now that would help you with the way you are feeling?

My Best..your friend..Paul

[james1]

Hey Paul,

Thanks for the reply and your concern. Schema Therapy is really odd that way - it encourages you to identify your "maladaptive schemas" and maladaptive coping methods, and then link these to your upbringing. In a way, this lets you know that you're thinking is damaging, but that the blame lies not with you, but with how you were brought up.

But I guess that's why it can be so confronting, because you're basically identifying all the...less helpful things your brain tells you, and it can be hard not to think of them as faults. So it usually takes well over a year to even start to reduce the prevalence of some of these schemas.

Yes, it's not been a great week. I think I described the feeling in the other thread as falling back to the bottom of the hillI'm not really sure. I spend so much of my waking hours trying to block out all my feelings (they're a bit too overwhelming)