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Article
An Adult with Childhood Medical Trauma Treated with Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and EMDR: A Case Study
Perspectives in Psychiatric Care
  • Robert D. Broad
  • Kathleen Wheeler, Fairfield University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2006
Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences have been found to be a strong predictor of emotional and physical problems in adulthood. However, the long-term sequelae for children who have suffered critical illness and exposure to invasive medical procedures are less well documented. This is a case study of an adult client who sought treatment for depression and attention deficit disorder. The psychotherapy treatment is discussed and the use of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is described targeting a memory of a medical trauma resulting from a tonsillectomy when the client was 8 years old. Significant healing outcomes were attained as a result of the therapy, i.e., decreased depression, less hypervigilance, and increased ability to concentrate, which resulted in the discontinuation of medication for depression and ADHD as well as significant improvement in overall functioning.

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Published Citation
Broad, R. D., & Wheeler, K. (2006). An adult with childhood medical trauma treated with psychoanalytic psychotherapy and EMDR: a case study. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 42(2), 95-105. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6163.2006.00058.x.
DOI
10.1111/j.1744-6163.2006.00058.x
Citation Information
Robert D. Broad and Kathleen Wheeler. "An Adult with Childhood Medical Trauma Treated with Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and EMDR: A Case Study" Perspectives in Psychiatric Care Vol. 42 Iss. 2 (2006)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/kathleen_wheeler/11/