I. Introduction
In the past nine years, more US military personnel have committed suicide than have died in battle in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. It has been calculated that over 6,000 former service personnel commit suicide every year. These are without a doubt staggering statistics. These deaths can mainly be attributed to the effects of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which 1 of every 8 returning soldiers suffers from. To help combat these statistics and help the suffering soldiers, psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro developed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in 1987. “EMDR involves recalling a stressful past event and “reprogramming” the memory in the light of a positive, self-chosen belief, while using rapid eye movements to facilitate the process” (Bartson 08). When a person experiences a trauma, the negative feelings and memories become trapped in the nervous system. EMDR "unlocks" these emotions and memories, and helps the brain to positively reprocess them. Using this type of therapy, Dr. Shapiro hopes to better the lives of disturbed soldiers and other people suffering from PTSD and other similar disorders.
II. Discovery
Surprisingly, Dr. Francine Shapiro discovered EMDR therapy by chance. In 1987, Shapiro took a walk in the woods while feeling very stressed and worried. However, she noticed that she felt notably better after moving her eyes back and forth, looking at the scenery. Shapiro became very interested, and tried different forms of this process on her patients. They showed positive results as well, establishing EMDR as a legitimate therapy. When asked about any specific memories that have influenced her personally and professionally, Dr. Shapiro recalls one of her first treatments on combat veterans. At a V.A. Outreach Center, she discovered many suffering men both young and old. One veteran, still very disturbed, shared some of his horrible war stories with Dr. Shapiro that he was forced to suffer at the young age of 19. Twenty-five years after his experiences, his suffering so consumed his life that he attempted suicide. Dr. Shapiro began working with the veteran using EMDR therapy, and she quickly observed significant signs of improvement. "In the five sessions we worked together, I saw him put it all to rest. I saw him come alive" (Volpe 2006).
Each Treatment Consists of an 8-step Process.
1. History and Treatment Planning - Initial client history regarding behaviors, problems, and fears.
2. Preparation - Self-care techniques taught to help client handle strong emotions.
3. Assessment - The therapist will ask the patient to identify the traumatic memory, a negative belief about the patient related to the experience, and a preferred positive belief about the client.
4 & 5. Reprocessing, Desensitization, and Installation - While thinking of the traumatic experience, the client is led through a series of rapid eye movements in order to view the experience in a less and less negative way.
6. Body Scan - The therapist guides the client to build positive bodily sensations relating to the traumatic experiences.
7. Closure - The therapist may recommend calming techniques like journaling or imagery between sessions.
8. Reevaluation - The therapist will reevaluate the client at the beginning of the next session to track his progress and ensure positive results.
III. Biography of Investigator
Francine Shapiro is the developer and creator of EMDR, and she is currently a senior research fellow at the Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto. She is also Executive Director of the EMDR Institute and President of the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs. During her career, Shapiro has received the International Sigmund Freud Award, the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Practice in Trauma Psychology, and the Distinguished Scientific Achievement in Psychology Award. In addition, Dr. Shapiro has been an advisor to many different trauma treatment and outreach organizations and journals. Furthermore, she has written and served as co-author for more than 60 articles, chapters, and books about EMDR. Shapiro has also spoken worldwide at different psychology conferences.
Figure 3
IV. Impact on the World/Humanity
Since its development in 1987, EMDR therapy has the potential to make a significant impact on the world. With soldiers suffering so severely from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, they deserve an effective treatment for their problems. Also, alternative treatments are not necessarily safe. For example, Dr. Michael Mithoefer and Anne Mithoefer have been promoting the use of ecstasy to treat PTSD. This could have many negative effects, such as the possible dependence on ecstasy that the soldiers could develop. However, EMDR has no known negative effects, and therefore seems to be a safe and effective way to treat PTSD. To help spread the use of EMDR throughout the world, Dr. Shapiro has trained over 30,000 clinicians internationally, selflessly devoting her life to her work and the treatment of PTSD victims. Hopefully in the future, Dr. Shapiro will continue to ardently treat victims of PTSD and to increase public awareness of EMDR. Soldiers deserve the normal, happy lives they once had!
USE THIS URL TO WATCH A VIDEO ON AN EMDR THERAPY SESSION:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ5MLn1Cc94
V. Journal Article Review
In my primary source article, Treating Phobic Children: Effects of EMDR Versus Exposure, it is determined if EMDR effectively treats specific phobias. In this particular case, arachnophobia is being studied. There were 26 arachnophobic participants in the experiment, all caucasian girls of middle socioeconomic status. The experiment consisted of two phases. During the first phase, each girl was assigned to one of three groups: an EMDR group, an exposure in vivo group (direct exposure to a spider), and a computerized exposure group that served as the control group. This phase lasted 2½ hours. During the second phase, all participants had a 1½ hour session of exposure in vivo. Data, such as self-reported fear level of participants and demonstrated avoidance of spider, was collected before phase 1, after phase 1, and after phase 2. After the experiment was completed, the results showed that the 2½ hour session of exposure in vivo produced the most significant positive results. The only aspect of arachnophobia that EMDR had a significant effect on was self-reported fear of spiders. Therefore, exposure in vivo remains the treatment of choice for arachnophobic children.
VI. References
Bartson, S., & Corcoran, C. (2008, January). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Guide to Making an Informed Choice. Helpguide.org. Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/pdf/emdr.pdf
Cunningham, B. F. (n.d.). US military suicide rate nearly twice national average « Wake-up Call. Wake-up Call. Retrieved October 11, 2010, from http://laudyms.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/us-military-suicide-rate-nearly-twice-national-average/
Drummond, B. K. (n.d.). Vets Get Ecstasy to Treat Their PTSD | Danger Room | Wired.com. Wired News. Retrieved October 11, 2010, from http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/09/new-trial-gives-vets-ecstasy-to-treat-their-ptsd/
EMDR FAQ -Therapy for anxiety trauma abuse PTSD in Los Angeles. (n.d.). EMDR Therapy, EMDR Therapists,EMDR information,PTSD. Retrieved October 11, 2010, from http://www.emdr-therapy.com/emdr-faq.html
EMDR: Taking a Closer Look: Scientific American. (n.d.). Science News, Articles and Information | Scientific American. Retrieved October 11, 2010, from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=emdr-taking-a-closer-look
Francine Shapiro. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved October 11, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francine_Shapiro
Francine Shapiro, Ph.D. - EMDR Institute, Inc. (n.d.). Your Page Title. Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http://www.emdr.com/shapiro.htm
Kazai’s Jirga ruse dead before it even begins « The Islamic Standard. (n.d.). The Islamic Standard. Retrieved October 11, 2010, from http://theislamicstandard.wordpress.com/2010/06/03/kazais-jirga-ruse-dead-before-it-even-begins/
Muris, P., Merckelbach, H., Holdrinet, I., & Sijsenaar, M. (1998). Treating phobic children: Effects of EMDR versus exposure. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66(1), 193-198. doi: 10.1037//0022-006X.66.1.193
South, B. H. (n.d.). Not All War Wounds are Visible: A Drawing for Memorial Day. Drawsketch - Drawing Lessons and Tutorials. Retrieved October 11, 2010, from http://drawsketch.about.com/od/artgallery/ig/Drawings/Remembrance.htm
Trauma Response Profile: Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., B.C.E.T.S. (n.d.). American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http://www.aaets.org/article93.htm
YouTube - EMDR. (n.d.). YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Retrieved October 15, 2010, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ5MLn1Cc94
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