Imagery: A Review

Abstract

Modern neuroscience has shown that relaxing images cause the brain to release high levels of serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, which reduce anxiety, block cortisol, and increase neuroplasticity. Modern medicine positions human beings as passive, helpless, in need of external aid and in need of repair. However, man should be seen as a being with physical and spiritual power that can repair himself far beyond this passive role. The common point of all the studies examined in this study is that imagery, which is an internal skill, can be used as a low-cost and effective mental therapy tool. Some studies have described imagery as a more effective method than pharmacological interventions. It is seen that the application of imagery is widely used in many diseases such as psychotic disorders, cancer, asthma, migraine, hypertension, immune system diseases, mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. It is seen that the imagery technique, which is thought to work as a defense mechanism and drive satisfaction according to psychoanalytic perspective, is widely used in fields such as mindfulness-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectic therapy. This review, first of all, mentions the use of imagery and imagery in history, and then describes current research on imagery applications on different diseases. In addition, it was written to emphasize the lack of research on the mechanisms by which this personal and internal power, which is thought to affect the efficiency of the treatment, regardless of which physical or psychological help is sought, and to encourage new research.