Background/ Aim: Social Dreaming Matrix (SDM) provides a pathway for healing collective trauma as it generates communal recognition while witnessing complex traumatic experiences. However, there is very limited research, and has not been explored in a clinical population. Previous literature mentions how relational trauma has been a significant risk factor for depression and how such patients experience certain disturbing content of dreams. Hence, this study explores these dream contents and themes of relational trauma using the SDM paradigm, along with their illness perception and social connectedness.
Method:15 male participants with unipolar depression were selected via purposive sampling and administered Childhood Attachment and Relational Trauma Screening (CARTS), Illness Perception Scale and Social Connectedness Scale. Out of these, 10 participants were selected randomly and arranged in 2 SDMs, with 5 participants each and 2 sessions were conducted for 2 SDMs.
Results and Conclusion: A total of 52 dreams were shared revolving around themes of family conflict, societal stigma and worthlessness, incompleteness and symbols of snakes, cliffs, mirrors, etc to a transition from hopelessness to hopefulness. Therefore, SDM serves as a gateway to social connectedness and a newer perception of illness. Furthermore, SDM may serve as a tool in future group-based intervention.

Authors:
Anasuya Dasgupta, Central Institute of Psychiatry, India
Preeti Gupta, Central Institute of Psychiatry, India
Umesh S, Central Institute of Psychiatry, India

About the Presenter(s)
My name is Anasuya Dasgupta and am a MPhil scholar at Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi. My current research is on Social Dreaming and understanding Relational trauma in depression. My interest areas are : psychotherapy, psychoanalysis

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https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/anasuya-dasgupta-96460b238

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https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anasuya-Dasgupta-2

Additional website of interest
https://instagram.com/anasuya_dasgupta?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM=

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