TY - JOUR
T1 - Treatment of intrusive suicidal imagery using eye movements
AU - Van Bentum, Jaël S.
AU - Sijbrandij, Marit
AU - Huibers, Marcus J.H.
AU - Huisman, Annemiek
AU - Arntz, Arnoud
AU - Holmes, Emily A.
AU - Kerkhof, Ad J.F.M.
PY - 2017/6/30
Y1 - 2017/6/30
N2 - Suicide and suicidal behavior are major public health concerns, and affect 3–9% of the population worldwide. Despite increased efforts for national suicide prevention strategies, there are still few effective interventions available for reducing suicide risk. In this article, we describe various theoretical approaches for suicide ideation and behavior, and propose to examine the possible effectiveness of a new and innovative preventive strategy. A model of suicidal intrusion (mental imagery related to suicide, also referred to as suicidal flash-forwards) is presented describing one of the assumed mechanisms in the etiology of suicide and the mechanism of therapeutic change. We provide a brief rationale for an Eye Movement Dual Task (EMDT) treatment for suicidal intrusions, describing techniques that can be used to target these suicidal mental images and thoughts to reduce overall behavior. Based on the available empirical evidence for the mechanisms of suicidal intrusions, this approach appears to be a promising new treatment to prevent suicidal behavior as it potentially targets one of the linking pins between suicidal ideation and suicidal actions.
AB - Suicide and suicidal behavior are major public health concerns, and affect 3–9% of the population worldwide. Despite increased efforts for national suicide prevention strategies, there are still few effective interventions available for reducing suicide risk. In this article, we describe various theoretical approaches for suicide ideation and behavior, and propose to examine the possible effectiveness of a new and innovative preventive strategy. A model of suicidal intrusion (mental imagery related to suicide, also referred to as suicidal flash-forwards) is presented describing one of the assumed mechanisms in the etiology of suicide and the mechanism of therapeutic change. We provide a brief rationale for an Eye Movement Dual Task (EMDT) treatment for suicidal intrusions, describing techniques that can be used to target these suicidal mental images and thoughts to reduce overall behavior. Based on the available empirical evidence for the mechanisms of suicidal intrusions, this approach appears to be a promising new treatment to prevent suicidal behavior as it potentially targets one of the linking pins between suicidal ideation and suicidal actions.
KW - Eye movement dual task (EMDT)
KW - Flash-forwards
KW - Intrusions
KW - Preventive intervention
KW - Suicidal mental imagery
KW - Suicide
UR - http://www.mendeley.com/research/treatment-intrusive-suicidal-imagery-using-eye-movements
U2 - 10.3390/ijerph14070714
DO - 10.3390/ijerph14070714
M3 - Article
VL - 14
SP - 1
EP - 14
JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
SN - 1660-4601
IS - 7
M1 - 714
ER -