Investigation of the Efficacy of Emdr in Earthquake Trauma: Case Report

Abstract

EMDR is an intervention technique mainly used in psychological trauma cases. In this study, the case study of qualitative research methods has been used; the aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) technique in PTSD of the earthquake. Eight -stage EMDR intervention has been implemented in the presented case. In order to investigate the effectiveness of EMDR intervention quantitatively related to the traumatic symptoms of the client and to determine the difference between the pre-test and post-test scores, "Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms Scale" has been used. In the presented case after the EMDR intervention, it has been observed that the client's both the anxiety and fear levels have been decreased as well as the dysfunctional thoughts about the earthquake have been disappeared and the PTSD symptoms have been greatly reduced. According to Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms Scale scores it has been observed that there are differences between the scores of subscales as "intrusive thoughts", "physiological arousal" and "cognitive avoidance". Based on the case presented in this study, it can be said that EMDR may be a short-term and effective intervention in PTSD cases caused by the trauma of natural disasters such as earthquakes.