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Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Why people are playing Tetris to treat their trauma
Why people are playing Tetris to treat their trauma
Why people are playing Tetris to treat their trauma
Saturday 27th July 2024
Discover how Tetris is being used as an innovative tool to help people with PTSD manage their flashbacks.
30 minutes
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Supportive
Hopeful
Educational
Compassionate
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Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Mindful Recovery
Sexual Stigmas & Myths
Mindfulness & Technology in Health
Parenting & Children
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Get the buttons here!Tetris: A Surprising Tool for Trauma Therapy
Episode Overview
- Tetris can help reduce the intensity of PTSD flashbacks.
- Engaging in visual-spatial tasks can interfere with vivid traumatic memories.
- Professor Holmes' studies show promising results for Tetris as a mental health tool.
- Real-world applications include emergency room interventions.
- Tetris therapy is compared to other methods like EMDR.
You can't both have a really vivid image of your pot plant and play Tetris, because Tetris also involves colour, shape, form and motion.
Ever thought Tetris could be more than just a fun way to pass the time? In this episode of All In The Mind, host Sana Khadar and producer Shelby Trainer explore an intriguing connection between the classic 80s puzzle game and trauma therapy. They dive into how researchers are using Tetris to help people with PTSD manage their flashbacks.
You'll hear from Charlie, who shares her personal story of using Tetris to cope with the traumatic loss of her father, and Professor Emily Holmes, who explains the science behind this unique therapeutic approach. Charlie recounts the distressing flashbacks she experienced after her father's death and how playing Tetris helped her reduce their intensity.
The episode also features insights from Professor Holmes, who has conducted studies showing that engaging in the visual-spatial task of Tetris can interfere with the brain's ability to vividly recall traumatic memories. It's fascinating to learn how a simple game can make such a significant difference in mental health. The episode doesn't just stick to theory; it provides real-world applications and success stories.
From lab studies to emergency room interventions, Tetris has shown promise in reducing flashbacks and helping people regain control over their traumatic memories. The conversation also touches on how this technique compares to other trauma therapies like EMDR and how it can be a more accessible option for many. By the end of the episode, you'll have a new appreciation for Tetris and its potential as a mental health tool.
Whether you're dealing with trauma yourself or just curious about innovative therapies, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice. So, why not give it a listen and see how a game from your childhood could hold the key to healing? What do you think? Could playing Tetris really help with trauma? Tune in to find out!