"Psychosis treatment empowered me to regain control"

A 28-year-old man from South Yorkshire, who has experienced hallucinations for nearly 20 years, has reported significant improvement after participating in a new experimental therapy. The approach helped him shift away from a sense of "helplessness" that had dominated his life.

Thom Brandwood-Spencer first noticed unusual visual experiences at the age of nine while walking home from school, imagining himself leaping between lampposts. These visions grew increasingly alarming during his teenage years, leaving him feeling threatened by what he perceived as ominous signs in his environment.

Researchers at the University of Sheffield are trialing a treatment called IMAPS talking therapy. This method aims to help individuals with psychosis reinterpret distressing mental images and replace them with more positive visualizations. Early results from the trial suggest the approach is effective.

Psychosis describes conditions where individuals lose touch with reality, including hallucinations or delusional beliefs. Roughly 75% of people with psychosis report experiencing intrusive mental images.

Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia as a teenager, Mr. Brandwood-Spencer began hearing voices and seeing vague figures. Through 12 weeks of IMAPS therapy, he learned strategies such as imagining the figures in protective gear like diving suits or armor.

"I realized that the threat didnt come from the figures themselves but from my own emotions. Understanding that was transformative," he said. "It made me feel like they no longer had power over me."

Dr. Chris Taylor, clinical psychologist and lead investigator on the trial, emphasized the impact of visual imagery on emotions. "Images affect how we feel far more intensely than words alone," he explained. "For someone experiencing paranoia, a mental picture of an intruder can heighten anxiety and reinforce fearful beliefs."

Both Dr. Taylor and Mr. Brandwood-Spencer hope a larger clinical trial will examine the therapys effectiveness and cost, paving the way for broader use.

Mr. Brandwood-Spencer described how IMAPS allowed him to separate threatening images from the intense emotions they triggered. "The hardest part was the feeling of powerlessness and thinking it was permanent," he said. "IMAPS helped me rewrite that narrative."

He now works in mental health and substance use support, providing the guidance he wished he had received earlier in life.

Author’s Analysis: Early Success of IMAPS Therapy Offers Hope for Psychosis Treatment

The case of Thom Brandwood-Spencer highlights the potential of IMAPS talking therapy in transforming the experience of individuals with long-term psychosis. After nearly two decades of distressing hallucinations, he reports significant improvement in managing intrusive mental images.

IMAPS therapy works by helping patients reinterpret threatening visualizations and replace them with safer, more controlled images. In Mr. Brandwood-Spencer’s experience, imagining figures in protective gear reduced the emotional impact of hallucinations, breaking the cycle of fear and helplessness that had dominated his life.

Dr. Chris Taylor, leading the trial at the University of Sheffield, underscores the central role of mental imagery in emotional regulation. The therapy’s focus on visual interventions addresses a critical gap in traditional psychosis treatments, which often emphasize verbal or cognitive approaches alone.

While these results are preliminary, they suggest that IMAPS could offer an effective, low-cost tool for helping individuals regain control over their perceptions and emotions. The ongoing expansion of clinical trials will be essential to determine its broader applicability and long-term benefits for the psychosis community.

Sources:

• 'Psychosis therapy helped stop me feeling powerless'

Author: Lucas Grant
Lucas Grant is a sports journalist with extensive experience covering football and basketball championships. Known for factual accuracy and an engaging, dynamic writing style.