EMDR Treatment for Early Childhood Trauma - Coursework Example

? EMDR TRATMENT FOR EARLY CHILHOOD TRAUMA Introduction Early childhood trauma can act as a predisposing factor for developing depression in adulthood. The risk might be enhanced if there is additional stress in adulthood and hence it can set the stage for advance trauma. Unlike adults, children lack the emotional and cognitive abilities to cope with emotional trauma experiences (Gehart, 2009). The consequences of early childhood trauma experiences can lead to various outcomes such as anger, sadness, depression, guilt and shame which can in turn overwhelm the emotions of an individual. This paper explores the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as an evidence-based approach in dealing with early childhood trauma in adults. Early Childhood Trauma and the use of EMDR for Treatment The effects of early childhood trauma inflicted through abuse or neglect can result in a wide range of outcomes in adulthood. Psychological impact of early childhood trauma and other forms of emotional, physical and sexual abuse on personality development and adaptation has been the centre of most research work. According to Gehart (2009), trauma can affect and compromise the development of a child including identity formation, body integrity, tolerance, behaviour management, cognitive processing, trust, spiritual and moral development. Consequently, researchers have discovered and identified the kind the linkage between early childhood trauma and the development of other extreme personality disorders in adulthood (Shapiro, 2012). A significant proportion of individuals who experienced early childhood trauma often develop post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The physiological activities that are related to early childhood trauma can be traced to the time when trauma enters the human mind as sensory information. During childhood, a traumatic experienced by a child is communicated throughout the body and it subsequently triggers either the primitive brain or body reaction that in turn switches on either the sympathetic or para -sympathetic nervous systems (MacMahon, 2007). After the series of such activities, an imbalance in brain biochemical occurs immediately thereby causing the perception of trauma to be trapped into the central nervous system and thereby inhibiting trauma adaptive resolutions. Since trauma is “trapped” inside the nervous system, any activity or process that activates the sympathetic nervous system causes the trauma to move through the whole body and trigger the feelings of terror, anxiety and panic (MacMahon, 2007). For along time, therapeutic treatment process of adults who have experienced or undergone childhood traumas has presented a challenging, complex and prolonged procedure for therapists. Through intensive research, tremendous progress has been achieved in relation to the treatment of trauma victims through therapies. Effective use of both cognitive and behavioral treatment forms the most significant and fundamental advancement towards the treatment of trauma in the last decades. Both children and adults who have been affected by trauma can now be treated due to the invention of the EMDR. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy that is used in the treatment of trauma and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Jongsma, Peterson, & Bruce, 2006). EMDR is hence a therapeutic process that relies on the movements, sounds and repetitive motions of the eye to help trauma victims to process and reconcile with traumatic experiences and memories more efficiently and rapidly. EMDR is vital as evidence based approach in dealing with early childhood trauma than conventional therapies due to effectiveness. EMDR can access and process the disturbing traumatic memories and other worst memories of childhood and bring them to adaptive resolution. Studies have also supported the efficacy of EMDR in the treatment of trauma and its application in other form of phobia and eating disorders (Shapiro, 2012). EMDR can rapidly unravel and resolve the underlying troubles that are often associated with traumatic experiences in the life of adult who is experiencing early childhood traumas together with other symptoms of PSTD. In a research conducted by Forgash & Copeley (2007), it has been found out that the processing that occurs during EMDR procedures also has the potential of increasing the self esteem of individuals and also helps them to develop new strengths and capabilities for coping with traumatic memories. This is usually evidenced by the increase in the validity of cognition scale during the execution of EMDR standards procedures. The use of EMDR as an intervention treatment measure of early childhood trauma is based on the fact that it integrates cognitive-behavioral approaches, patient-centered and body oriented modalities. The eye movements, sounds and pulsations that EMDR relies on are responsible for brain stimulation (Elofsson, von Scheele, Theorell, & Sondergaard, 2008). Through focus on the traumatic memory and use of sensory experiences, trauma victims are able to overcome the symptoms such as depression, anger and depression that are associated with trauma. The mechanism of EMDR treatment is that it allows trauma patients to access the traumatic memory where it is usually stored, that is, the right hemisphere of the brain (MacMahon, 2007). During the intervention, there are stages for EMDR use with adults and it usually involves integrated treatment approach that depends on other forms of therapies. When used as intervention strategy for resolving traumas in adults who have experienced early childhood abuse and neglect, EMDR is used in conjunction with play therapy, cognitive or behavioral therapy and family therapy (Shapiro, 2012). There are eight distinct stages of EMDR therapy when dealing with adults that have experiencing early childhood traumas. The first step entails gathering of information of the client through an interview process and treatment planning. This phase also comprises the evaluation of the client’s suitability to EMDR and setting out the targets for reprocessing (Harford, 2010). The main goal of carrying out this survey is to gather information about the trauma and how the person has coped up or responded to it (Shapiro, 2012). The second stage is the preparation stage that entails the creation of awareness and provision of information to the patient with the regards to EMDR and also identification of any hindrances to the treatment. The third phase or stage is assessment and it involves the gathering of assessment information of the target memory through the use of baseline measurements. Desensitization is the fourth phase and it entails the use of alternating bilateral stimulation together with the patient’s awareness and therapist observation so as to reprocess the targeted memory (Harford, 2010). The fifth phase or stage is known as the installation phase and it involves the installation of the positive cognition (PC) utilizing alternating bilateral stimulation and taking the measurement of the outcome (Harford, 2010) Body scan is done as phase six and it usually involves the identification of tension or discomfort in the body of a patient. Phase seven is referred to as closure and it involves the use of various intervention strategies aimed at helping the patient to leave the session in a stable manner and to help him deal with future traumas. The last phase is known as the reevaluation and it is normally done at the onset of future sessions so as to ensure the effects of the treatment are tangible (Forgash & Copeley, 2007). Research on the use of EMDR therapy in the treatment of early childhood trauma has indicated that it normally takes longer for adult victims to reconcile and feel secure and safe than for those who are subjected to EMDR therapy at early stages of life. The major fundamental issue and the main focus in the use of EMDR treatment are stabilization and development of self skill and capacities to tolerate emotions and other memories of trauma (Shapiro, 2012). A research study conducted by Davidson & Parker (2001) confimed that EMDR therapy was effective in the treatment of early childhood trauma and chronic victimization. According to the study, 77 percent of early childhood trauma victims were treated with EMDR after undergoing 12 sessions and they subsequetly lost post traumatic stress disorder diagnosis. Similarly, a research conducted by Elofsson et al also reported that adult system survivors of childhood sexual abuse treated with EMDR therapy found it to be effective (Elofsson, von Scheele, Theorell, & Sondergaard, 2008). The efficacy of EMDR in the treatment of PTSD has also been established and that the use of EMDR is the treatment of adults that are experiencing early childhood traumas is more superior and effective than waitlist or delayed treatment control and other conventional treatment interventions. (Harford, 2010) Further research need to be done of how exactly EMDR works in helping victims of early childhood traumas to feel secure and safe and to reconcile with their self. Similarly more work need to be carried out so as to shed more light and to help in the understanding of early childhood reactions to traumatic events. Conclusion It is evident that early childhood trauma may predispose an individual to psychological and behavioral problems in adulthood. EMDR therapy when used as an intervention strategy for early childhood traumas allows the traumatic memories and pain to be reprocessed and resolved overtime. Research studies have confirmed further that EMDR therapy is effective intervention in the treatment of victims of early childhood traumas. Research studies have demonstrated and established consistently that EMDR is more effective in the treatment of adult PTSD than other conventional treatment interventions. References Davidson, P. R., & Parker, K. C. (2001). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): A meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology , 69, 305-316. Elofsson, U. O., von Scheele, B., Theorell, T., & Sondergaard, H. P. (2008). Physiological correlates of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Journal of Anxiety Disorders , 22 (4), 622-34. Forgash, C., & Copeley, M. (2007). Healing the Heart of Trauma and Dissociation with EMDR and Ego State Therapy. New York: Springer Publishing Company. Gehart, D. R. (2009). Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy: A Practical Approach to Theory and Clinical Case Documentation. Delmar: Brooks Cole. Harford, P. M. (2010). The Integrative Use of EMDR and Clinical Hypnosis in the Treatment of Adults Abused as Children. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 4 (2), 60-75. Huso, D. R. (2010). Treating Child Abuse Trauma With EMDR. Social Work Today , 10 (2), 20. Jongsma, A., Peterson, M. L., & Bruce, T. (2006). The Complete Adult Psychotherapy Treatment Planner. Wiley. MacMahon, R. (2007). EMDR AND ITS USE IN TREATING ATTACHMENT DISORDER. Retrieved July 24, 2012, from http://www.johngouletmft.com/EMDR_in_treating_attachment_disorder.pdf Shapiro, F. (2012). E.M.D.R. and Childhood Trauma. Retrieved July 25, 2012, from http://consults.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/16/expert-answers-on-e-m-d-r/ Read More