New Therapy Uses Mental Images to Ease Psychosis Symptoms and Paranoia
A novel imagery-focused therapy, iMAPS, has shown promising results in helping individuals with psychosis manage distressing mental images that fuel paranoia and hallucinations. Developed by researchers from Sheffield and London, this therapy could complement existing treatments and is now being considered for larger-scale trials. In a feasibility trial involving 45 participants, iMAPS demonstrated strong patient engagement and significant reductions in distress. The therapy, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), targets the 74% of psychosis patients who experience intrusive mental images. It aims to help patients understand, transform, and re-script these images, replacing them with more positive ones. Early results suggest iMAPS could be a powerful complement to existing treatments, targeting negative beliefs about self and others using imagery techniques. The largest feasibility study showed safety and meaningful symptom relief, paving the way for a multi-centre clinical trial to test its clinical and cost-effectiveness. iMAPS therapy has shown promising results in managing distressing mental imagery in psychosis patients. With a multi-site trial now planned, researchers hope to confirm its clinical and cost-effectiveness, potentially offering a new avenue for treating psychosis.
