Researchers from the Department of Neurology at Rambam Hospital in Haifa, Israel examined whether a Parkinson’s Disease (PD) tremor, known to worsen with stress, could improve with what they refer to as “relaxation guided imagery” (RGI) and calming music.

Twenty PD patients with moderate to severe tremor participated in sessions where relaxation techniques were implemented. Tremor was objectively monitored using an accelerometer.

Dear Belleruth,

My wife was diagnosed with PD 14 years ago.  For a long while before that we thought she was depressed.  Now we know it was probably the beginnings of the Parkinsons.  Our kids don’t live in town.  I am her main care partner and do what I can to encourage and support her.  I bring her to support group meetings when she’s willing to go.  Sometimes I go without her anyway, because it helps me either way.

I’m extremely frustrated at the way she resists suggestions for help.  I’ve brought home books, nutritional supplements, suggestions for physical therapy, chair yoga videos and, yes, even your guided imagery for PD.  She mostly acts like a rebellious teenager or a passive resister.  This has caused tension in the home and a lot of anger inside me.

I just don’t understand her attitude.  When I had open heart surgery years ago, I fought hard to get well again, in spite of pain, weakness and depression.  I tried all kinds of life style changes, many of which I still do today.  I know this sounds foolish, but what can I do? Why can’t she be more like me? 

John (who loves but wants to strangle his wife)

Ahhh, the hellish nature of remodeling!! Such profound weirdness, to have your space invaded and tossed asunder by strangers with bad habits!  Hell, even with good habits!  It’s all about disruption, disorientation, distress and dismay everywhere.

We were all reminded of this when we got this enchanting note last week, offering up the perfect situation for plugging up your ears with relaxing music and images and wishing external reality away. Here it is:

Hello again.

I was intrigued and puzzled by the results from last week’s Virtual Reality research, showing that a session of virtual reality relaxation actually increased the perceived pain by 30% of burn patients getting their dressings changed (already a very painful procedure).  I wondered if it had anything to do with giving the session ahead of time (instead of during the procedure), thus increasing the anticipation of pain; or if it had to do with using straight relaxation content, as opposed to distraction content.  (An older study with chemo patients showed that distraction was far more effective at alleviating anxiety and distress than relaxation imagery during that procedure.)  

Someone wrote in with the same insight I’d had after watching the film Precious - that what kept the protagonist alive at her core, in spite of the way she was used, abused, derided and devalued on a daily basis, was the imagery she created to sustain and feed her.  I meant to write about it, but never got around to it.  But that’s just as well - this note, from someone who just discovered guided imagery, is far more eloquent, thanks to her fresh perspective. 

Belleruth,
I work as a therapist at an Army hospital on a military base, treating soldiers who have combat stress. I use your CDs regularly and through the years have loaned them out....much of the time they don't find their way back to me. 

Your work is copyrighted.  Do you ever offer professional discounts or discounts for large orders?  Many thanks for all the good work you do in healing.

J. F., LCSW

Researchers from the Department of Mental Health at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego compared the effectiveness of Exposure Therapy (ET) to Virtual Reality (VR) in the treatment of combat-related posttraumatic stress in theater at Camp Fallujah in Iraq.

This case series documents the first use of VR-based therapy in the treatment of PTSD in a combat theater.  Results of therapy are being reported from a mental health clinic in Camp Fallujah, Iraq.

Combat PTSD constituted a relatively small percentage of overall mental health patients seen. Those who did present with PTSD were offered either VR-based ET or traditional ET.  

Hello, again.

One of the hands down winners of the “What Next?” survey was imagery for heartbreak, abandonment and betrayal.  And since I no longer see clients to freshen up my empathy/understanding/experience of living, I rely on you to help me with the guts of these narratives.  (I of course have my own experiences with heartbreak, abandonment and betrayal - who over the age of 18 months doesn’t? - but this has to be as universal and inclusive as possible, and for that I need you). 

So for any and every one of you who has time to answer, here are my questions:

Question: I have your PTSD 3 CD set (please link and show cover) and I cannot describe how much listening to them for the last 6 months has helped me. I am able to have relationships and love in my life again. Thank you.

I also have LAM (lymphangioleiomyomatosis) which has decreased my lung function down to 22% putting me on the Lung Transplant list. I would like to choose a CD to help me heal my lungs. Which one would you suggest?

Charles