Using Imagery Rescripting as an Early Intervention for Depression in Young People

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Background:

• Depression in young people requires innovative school-based early interventions.
• Imagery rescripting effectively treats adult depression by modifying aversive memories.
• Intrusive images are linked to depression's development and persistence, yet rarely targeted in youth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To co-develop an imagery rescripting protocol for adolescents (16-18 years) experiencing high depressive symptoms.
• To explore the feasibility and potential effectiveness of this intervention in a school setting.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on imagery rescripting and youth depression.
• Co-development of a specific imagery rescripting protocol.
• Application of the protocol to 37 adolescents with high depression symptoms.
• Identification of negative imagery themes and case examples.

Main Results:

• Three primary themes of negative imagery emerged: failure, interpersonal adversity, and family conflict/disruption.
• The protocol was applied to participants aged 16-18 with high depression symptoms.
• Therapist concerns and any negative consequences of imagery rescripting were noted.

Conclusions:

• Imagery rescripting is a potentially effective and acceptable early intervention for adolescent depression.
• This approach is underutilized in current clinical practice for young people.
• Further research is warranted to validate its efficacy and address therapist concerns.