How does attachment imagery for paranoia work? Cognitive fusion and beliefs about self and others mediate the impact on paranoia and anxiety

ConclusionsIn line with attachment and cognitive theory, secure attachment imagery is effective in reducing paranoia and anxiety and works by reducing cognitive fusion and negative self- and other-beliefs. These novel findings suggest that the secure imagery task could be incorporated into cognitive and behavioural therapies to reduce distressing interpersonal threat beliefs and associated negative affect, and increase help-seeking intentions.Practitioner points When working with people experiencing paranoia, secure attachment imagery may be effective in reducing state paranoia and anxiety and improving help-seeking intentions. Attachment imagery works by influencing beliefs about self and others, and the degree to which people are fused with their beliefs. In clinical practice, the rationale for the imagery task fits well with psychological models of paranoia and the secure imagery task can be introduced as a way to cope when struggling with distressing beliefs about self and others, and feeling overwhelmed by these fears.
Source: Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research