Intrusive mental imagery in psychological disorders: Is the self the key to understanding maintenance?

Intrusive mental imagery is a transdiagnostic process (1) present in many psychological disorders including trauma-related disorders; anxiety, mood, and eating disorders; as well as severe mental health problems, such as bipolar disorder and psychosis. In this article, we summarize some of the current literature on intrusive images and then argue that one critical way in which they maintain disorders is through their representation and relationship with patients’ sense of self. We conclude by briefly discussing the treatment implications of this position.