Ever wondered why we keep recycling the same scenario or event?

Our brains are wired to survive. We pay attention to and store threatening, scary or traumatic events to protect us the next time we are exposed to a similar risk. However, storing memories from events that happened in the past can also be unhelpful and uncontrollable, leading to ongoing distress. 

These memories can play out in your mind (memories, words, pictures) and cause a response in your body (fast pulse, dry mouth or muscle tension similar to when the event happened) or emotional (fear, shame). Most of these responses settle with time, but many of us remain troubled by past events.

Christine Mellor is doing this study because she has come across a therapy that seems to keep the memory intact but removes its distressing aspects. It is simple, quick and user friendly. And if it turns out to be as helpful as she has experienced, it could be an effective way to reduce people’s suffering, increase wellbeing and quality of life.

There are no randomised controlled trials investigating its effectiveness, and this will be the first of its kind. People who enroll in the study will be randomised to receive one of two sets of strategies.  After completing the main part of the study, participants will also be offered the intervention they haven’t yet received.

We will be measuring effectiveness in a range of validated scales and asking for your feedback on the strategies. 

Contact: christine_mellor_nz@yahoo.co.nz if you would like more information on the Stressless study

Approved by the Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee. Reference number [23757].