Post-traumatic stress disorder overcome by eye-movement desensitization: a case report

J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 1991 Mar;22(1):39-43. doi: 10.1016/0005-7916(91)90032-z.

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder is an exceptionally stressful syndrome that has been extremely difficult to treat. The prognosis was recently dramatically improved by the introduction of eye-movement desensitization. This paper reports, in substantial detail, a case that was precipitated by a rape 10 years earlier, describing its manifestations and various unsuccessful attempts to treat it; followed by a detailed exposition of the eventual, completely successful treatment by eye-movement desensitization.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Arousal
  • Desensitization, Psychologic / methods*
  • Eye Movements*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imagination
  • Rape / psychology*
  • Saccades
  • Social Environment
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy*