In class, we learned that visual imagery is a powerful retrieval cue for memory. The most common application is to use the method of loci. Basically, you imagine the specific locations in your home, and then you can easily associate the different locations specific grocery products you want to purchase at the store.
This reminds me of another example of using visual imagery for memorization. The knuckle mnemonic is the first memory method I used as a 6/7-year-old. It uses knuckles and depressions in the hand to remember the number of days in each month. A knuckle represents 31 days, the depression between two knuckles represents 30 (or 28 or 29 days for February). In the beginning, I had to pointing to my knuckles while saying the specific month out loud so that I could correctly recall the number of days in each month. When I got more skilled, I would just use visual imagery of the hand that I pictured in my mind and then use the imagery to recall the number of days in a certain month.
According to an article I read on Counseling Today, the authors point out the importance of using mental imagery as an intervention for certain mental health disorders. For example, disturbing images are considered part of the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They are also involved largely in the thought processes related to anxiety, bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The article also suggests that recent research supports the notion that when compared with verbal content, imagery can illicit stronger emotion which might lead to an amplifying effect. Therefore, clinical psychological should pay extra attention in understanding mental imagery when treating clients with emotional dysregulation.
Furthermore, the authors mention that teaching clients to use imagery as a skill can help them realize their power over their own images and eventually manipulate the images. They used a image of a cupcake with a raspberry on top with their clients. They would firstly ask clients to look at the picture of the cupcake and close their eyes and imagine the cupcake in detail. Then they ask them to change the cupcake in the image they are imagining, removing the raspberry and replacing it with a blueberry. By being able to manipulate the cupcake image in this way, clients can work up to replacing more negative images that elicit negative emotions with positive images. For example, clients can imagine themselves providing an eloquent speech without stuttering and being nervous.
Katie Gamby and Michael Desposito, May 2020, Mental imagery as an intervention for emotion regulation disorders, Counseling Today, https://ct.counseling.org/2020/05/mental-imagery-as-an-intervention-for-emotion-regulation-disorders/
Thank you for sharing your post, I enjoyed reading about the clinical uses of visual imagery, which is a field within the clinical psychology community that has not been explored to its fullest potential (Pearson, 2013). As you stated, visual imagery has such a strong connection to memories and it stands to reason that one’s greater control of their own mental imagery could benefit psychological conditions such as: social phobia, schizophrenia, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (Pearson, 2013). The above mentioned disorders are associated with skewed visual imagery and if clinical psychologists could negate those disturbing visual images with powerful mental imagery, such disorders could become much more manageable. Our minds are strong enough to overcome so many obstacles, and taking control over such images may just be the key to achieving/unlocking greater mental capabilities.
Pearson, David G, et al. “Assessing Mental Imagery in Clinical Psychology: A Review of Imagery Measures and a Guiding Framework.” Clinical Psychology Review, Elsevier Science, Feb. 2013, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3545187/.
I really enjoyed this post, especially the portion you included on how image manipulation can be used to treat disorders that have relation to imagery. For most anxiety disorders, especially OCD imagery plays such a huge role in intrusive thoughts and distress. While rumination can be considered a compulsion, this seems like a healthy skill to help people who struggle with intrusive thoughts change them into something that is less distressing. I feel like this would be a good coping skill and goes well with CBT. I was able to find a study that focused on four individuals with MDD and co-morbid OCD. They studied the prevalence of imagery in the “obsessive” part of OCD. 46% of participants reported strong or extreme visual imagery in their obsessions. While I think this technique may border on rumination for some, for others it can be extremely helpful to reframe their thoughts. Because these thoughts are involuntary, it adds control over them.
Klein, Jan Philipp, and Steffen Moritz. “On the Relevance of Mental Imagery beyond Stress-Related Psychiatric Disorders.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 1 Jan. 1AD, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00077/full.
It is extremely interesting how important visual cues are in memory. When I think of something that has happened in the past, I can always visualize important aspects in my mind. As for your points on mental health and visuals, I can completely agree and understand how visuals may be attributed to bad memories and PTSD. I have noticed myself getting stuck in my head thinking about bad things that may happen. I think it is extremely helpful to imagine and visualize the situation in a different light. When you believe something is going to happen a certain way, you may convince yourself and therefore trigger a situation to happen differently than you want it to. I have seen in my own life that when I think more positively and imagine good situations rather than bad ones, the outcome is always better. It is a good strategy to break it down into a cupcake analogy. By showing people how easy it is to manipulate visuals, they can use it in their personal lives. Thank you for your post!
Charissa Dinan
I too read an article recently that was related to thought manipulation with visual imagery and how it can aid patients who suffer from anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I read about the high place phenomenon, which is when individuals with no history of suicidal thoughts have the sudden urge to jump when standing on a tall building or bridge, and another common intrusive thought was found in new mothers. During a study completed in 2008, psychologists showed that half of the healthy mothers had intrusive thoughts of harming their infants by four weeks after birth, even when they had no intention in doing so (Drevitch, 2020). I can see how practicing with a simpler image, such as the cupcake visual you discussed, can help manipulate and give exercise to the ability of changing negative thoughts and mental images later on. The manipulation of visual imagery is a great and powerful strategy we can share with individuals looking for alternatives in managing anxiety and intrusive thinking. Thank you for sharing this interesting statistic!
References
Drevitch, G. (2020, February 26). Understanding Intrusive Thoughts: Why Do We Have
Thoughts We Don’t Want? Psychology Today.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/erasing-
stigma/202002/understanding-intrusive-thoughts