Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment in a patient with post-traumatic stress disorder: A case report

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that is characterized by autonomic, dysphoric, and cognitive signs together with affective numbing and distressed re-experiencing and avoidance of previous traumatic events in a person who has encountered, lived, or heard an excessively traumatic event. EMDR is a psychological method, which has proven to be effective bringing together elements of well-established approaches such as psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, and client-centered approaches. In recent years, there has been an interest in using the EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. One of the reasons for this interest may be its effectiveness shown by numerous studies, especially, conducted with individuals who suffer from Post -Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). EMDR is known to be an innovative approach that accelerates information processing and facilitates the integration of fragmented traumatic memories. This process is stated to allow better integration of the information that a person has to handle in the future. Recent practice guidelines and meta-analyses have designated EMDR as a first-line treatment for trauma. Although the prevalence of trauma and trauma related disorders is high in Turkey, there have been a limited number of published studies highlighting treatment options (6-8). Given the effectiveness of EMDR regarding trauma and related disorders, the utilization of the technique by a broad number of mental health professionals may not only increase the professionals' competency in treatment of these disorders, but also may provide patients suffering from the mentioned disorders a chance to recover in a relatively short period of time. In this paper, the treatment process with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) of a case, who showed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder after a car accident and the need to use this effective method by clinicians more frequently and broadly in post-traumatic stress disorder patients will be discussed.

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