Using EMDR therapy with patients in an acute mental health crisis

Abstract

Background: Death by suicide continues to be a global public health concern with little research demonstrating the effectiveness of treatment options. This exploratory study exams the efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy delivered to patients experiencing an acute mental health crisis to explore if by treating their background trauma, improvements could be seen in their general psychopathology and if there was a resulting decrease in their desire for suicide. Methods: A practice-based service development project was conducted within a mental health hospital. A nonrandomised, exploratory pre-test post-test design was utilised. Participants were identified from adult patients currently receiving care from either an inpatient mental health ward or the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (CRHTT). Those who had reported experiencing at least one event that they considered to be traumatic were offered EMDR Therapy. Notes from the electronic database were analysed to assess contact with services 12 months prior to treatment and following treatment. Results: 72 patients were offered treatment in the study with 57 completing treatment. Patients made significant improvements across all the psychometrics, including a reduction in suicidal ideation. The majority needed less than 10 sessions and needed no onward referral for further psychological therapy. Cost savings were realised by retracting referrals for further therapy and in early discharge from CRHTT and acute wards, and by preventing admissions. Contact with services post treatment also reduced. Conclusions: EMDR Therapy can be an effective treatment for patients experiencing a mental health crisis who have a trauma picture, resulting in significant improvements in their mental well-being and substantial cost savings for the National Health Service (NHS).

Mental health consequences of long-term stays in refugee camps: preliminary evidence from Moria

“…Another limitation was methodological in nature. The concept of an ‘acute mental health crisis’ is usually not defined in terms of pathology [ 52 , 53 ], but by the involvement of an ambulant crisis team or hospital admission of a patient. Due to the near absence of mental health services for the camp inhabitants, the diagnostic limitations of the clinic’s personnel, and the summary information in the database, such a definition would not suffice.…”

Web-Based Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for Adults With Suicidal Ideation: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Participants will be randomized (by computer-generated random allocation) to receive either intensive 90-minute EMDR sessions twice per week plus TAU or TAU alone. A pilot study by Proudlock et al [ 29 ] and an RCT by Fereidouni et al [ 28 ] used a similar design, with intensive EMDR provided 2 to 3 times per week. In the study by Proudlock et al [ 29 ], most of the participants were outpatients with an acute mental health crisis with SI.…”

“…Preliminary evidence indicates that EMDR may be an effective intervention for SI [ 27 - 29 ]. With populations experiencing suicidal thoughts, EMDR may decrease SI, even when SI is not addressed directly, as is the case when PTSD, anxiety, or depression are primary treatment targets [ 27 , 28 , 30 , 31 ].…”

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing desde la propuesta de valoración de Mario Bounge

“…"La terapia EMDR afirma que después del tratamiento de una memoria traumática, el procesamiento de la información es mejorado y se forjan nuevas asociaciones, lo que resulta en un nuevo aprendizaje, la eliminación de la angustia emocional, y el desarrollo de la comprensión cognitiva" (Proudlock et al, 2020). "Los estudios apoyan que EMDR es efectivo para los síntomas del desorden de estrés post-traumático.…”