Journal of Psychotherapy Integration Vol. 29, Iss. 1, (Mar 2019): 32-41. DOI:10.1037/int0000116
Development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following trauma exposure has been linked to increased reliance on overgeneral memory (OGM; Bryant, Sutherland, & Guthrie, 2007). OGM is a form of autobiographical memory in which the individual recalls a nonspecific, categorical representation that encompasses many related events distributed over time (e.g., going to a restaurant), as opposed to retrieving a discrete, specific memory (e.g., breakfast in the hotel restaurant this morning). This article provides a very brief synopsis of the theoretical models (Williams et al., 2007), neurobiological underpinnings (e.g., Vermetten, Vythilingam, Southwick, Charney, & Bremner, 2003), animal studies (Monfils, Cowansage, Klann, & LeDoux, 2009), and preclinical studies with humans (Schiller et al., 2010) that underscore the utility of targeting improved memory specificity in the treatment of individuals with PTSD.. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.