The effectiveness of treating a traffic accident trauma with EMDR after failed psychopharmacological treatment – a case report

The aim is to show the case of a car accident victim who responded favorably to EMDR therapy but did not respond favorably to pharmacotherapy.

Article Abstract

“Introduction: Car accident victims can suffer from an acute stress reaction and post-traumatic stress disorder. In the therapeutic method of desensitization and reprocessing with eye movements (Eye Movements Desensitizing Reprocessing – EMDR), trauma with a large “T” includes events that a person perceives as a life-threatening. These events are so saturated, stressful, that they can overcome our usual capacity to fight (Herman 1992). They result in intense fear, extreme feelings of helplessness, and complete loss of control. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) manifest in two types of simultaneous and diametrically opposed behaviors. In one type, the traumatized person cannot escape their trauma, they are forced to get rid of the original event through intrusive symptoms such as flashback episodes, nightmares, panic attacks, and obsessive thoughts. In the second, they, again, must not approach trauma: they are completely isolated from the recollection of trauma by avoiding symptoms and anything that can be associated with the event, such as social isolation, emotional stiffness, and substance dependence. …

The aim is to show the case of a patient who responded favorably to EMDR therapy but did not respond favorably to pharmacotherapy and superficial supportive treatment.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Alisahovic-Gelo, E., & Hasanovic, M. (2021). The effectiveness of treating a traffic accident trauma with EMDR after failed psychopharmacological treatment – a case report. Psychiatria Danubina, 33(Suppl 1), 88-90. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33638965/ or https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/382684 (open access).