Qualitative changes in recurrent PTSD nightmares after focusing-oriented dreamwork.

This study included the development and use of an abbreviated focusing-oriented dreamwork (FOD) treatment protocol for trauma survivors with repetitive PTSD nightmares and an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of the dream changes that resulted from treatment. Participants were 5 clients from the Vancouver Association for the Survivors of Torture (VAST) who experienced clinically significant PTSD symptoms, including repetitive trauma-related nightmares. After FOD treatment, participants ’ dreams began to change in specific ways. The identity of the dream aggressor shifted from known to unknown or vice versa, and generally away from replication of the original trauma. Dream ego actions moved forward on a continuum from freeze to flight to fight as dreamers began to find their voic es, seek help and/or take action. Temporal and setting changes generally shifted from being frozen in the time and/or place of the trauma to include more elements from current life. The FOD protocol appeared to move dreamers toward more empowered, less fearful responses within dreaming and upon waki ng, and to have a positive effect on daytime functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Source: Dreaming - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Source Type: research