Vantage Point in Traumatic Memory

@article{Mcisaac2004VantagePI,
  title={Vantage Point in Traumatic Memory},
  author={Heather K. Mcisaac and Eric Eich},
  journal={Psychological Science},
  year={2004},
  volume={15},
  pages={248 - 253}
}
Persons with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) spontaneously recalled the traumatic event that led to their condition from either a field or an observer vantage point. In the former case, participants recollected the event as if they were seeing it again through their own eyes; in the latter case, the event was recalled from the perspective of a detached spectator. Analysis of the two types of recollections revealed marked differences in their contents. Whereas field memories afforded richer… 
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209 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
21
Background Citations
108
Methods Citations
7
Results Citations
12

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209 Citations

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It is suggested that remembering trauma from an observer vantage point is related to both immediate and ongoing PTSD symptoms.
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Findings suggest that, at least in the case of boys, an observer perspectives of trauma can be associated with levels of PTSD, and boys who adopted an observer’s perspective had less severe PTSD than those who adopted a field perspective.
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The data suggest the existence of substantial connections between perspective taking during recall and interpersonal difficulties and anxious-neurotic symptoms on the other hand, especially following cues that tap into domains that are highly discrepant towards one’s actual self-concept.
Remembering as an observer: How is autobiographical memory retrieval vantage perspective linked to depression?
TLDR
The tendency to retrieve observer perspective memories was associated with greater negative self-evaluation, lower dispositional mindfulness, and greater use of avoidance, and participants who recalled more field perspective memories at pre- treatment had lower levels of post-treatment depression, controlling for pre-treatment levels of depression and trait rumination.
Can Imaginal Exposure Reduce Intrusive Memories in Depression? A Case Study
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This case is an important first step in demonstrating the possible value of IE as an inclusion in therapy to reduce intrusive memories in patients whose depressive episode is precipitated by a stressor.
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