Case report: Brief, intensive EMDR therapy for borderline personality disorder: results of two case studies with one year follow-up
BackgroundExposure to adverse childhood events plays an important role in the development of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Emerging evidence suggests that trauma-focused therapy using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be beneficial for patients with BPD symptoms. To d...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1283145/full |
| _version_ | 1797390275381821440 |
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| author | Laurian Hafkemeijer Karin Slotema Nicole de Haard Ad de Jongh Ad de Jongh Ad de Jongh Ad de Jongh |
| author_facet | Laurian Hafkemeijer Karin Slotema Nicole de Haard Ad de Jongh Ad de Jongh Ad de Jongh Ad de Jongh |
| author_sort | Laurian Hafkemeijer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundExposure to adverse childhood events plays an important role in the development of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Emerging evidence suggests that trauma-focused therapy using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be beneficial for patients with BPD symptoms. To date, the effects of brief, intensive EMDR treatment for this target group have not been investigated in this population.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of a brief and intensive trauma-focused therapy course using EMDR therapy in two patients diagnosed with BPD who did not fulfill the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It was hypothesized that this approach would be associated with a decline in the core symptoms of BPD, and that this would have an enduring long-term effect on patients’ diagnostic status.MethodTen sessions of EMDR therapy were carried out across four consecutive treatment days, with the aim of processing patients’ core adverse childhood experiences. Both A-criterion-worthy memories (without intrusive reliving) and non-A-criterion-worthy memories that were considered responsible for the patients’ most prominent symptoms were targeted. The effects of EMDR therapy on trauma symptom severity and BPD diagnostic status (as established by the Structured Clinical Interview DSM-5) were determined. Additionally, the effects on psychological distress, quality of life, and difficulties in emotion regulation were determined at intake, post-treatment, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-up.ResultsBoth patients showed a strong decline in psychological distress and difficulties in emotion regulation, and reported an improvement in their quality of life. At post-treatment, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-up they no longer met the DSM-5 criteria for BPD.ConclusionThe findings of this small case study are in line with mounting evidence that a brief track of intensive trauma-focused therapy can result in long-term remission in patients with BPD. EMDR therapy seems to be a promising treatment approach for patients with BPD; however, the results need to be replicated in clinical trials. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T23:08:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4a747bd34dec42c8a61d9821e91673b0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T23:08:24Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-4a747bd34dec42c8a61d9821e91673b02023-12-15T09:02:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402023-12-011410.3389/fpsyt.2023.12831451283145Case report: Brief, intensive EMDR therapy for borderline personality disorder: results of two case studies with one year follow-upLaurian Hafkemeijer0Karin Slotema1Nicole de Haard2Ad de Jongh3Ad de Jongh4Ad de Jongh5Ad de Jongh6Department of Adult Psychiatry, GGZ Delfland, Delft, NetherlandsDepartment of Personality Disorders, Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, NetherlandsDepartment of Adult Psychiatry, GGZ Delfland, Delft, NetherlandsAcademic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NetherlandsResearch Department PSYTREC, Bilthoven, NetherlandsSchool of Health Sciences, Salford University, Manchester, United KingdomInstitute of Health and Society, University of Worcester, Worcester, United KingdomBackgroundExposure to adverse childhood events plays an important role in the development of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Emerging evidence suggests that trauma-focused therapy using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be beneficial for patients with BPD symptoms. To date, the effects of brief, intensive EMDR treatment for this target group have not been investigated in this population.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of a brief and intensive trauma-focused therapy course using EMDR therapy in two patients diagnosed with BPD who did not fulfill the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It was hypothesized that this approach would be associated with a decline in the core symptoms of BPD, and that this would have an enduring long-term effect on patients’ diagnostic status.MethodTen sessions of EMDR therapy were carried out across four consecutive treatment days, with the aim of processing patients’ core adverse childhood experiences. Both A-criterion-worthy memories (without intrusive reliving) and non-A-criterion-worthy memories that were considered responsible for the patients’ most prominent symptoms were targeted. The effects of EMDR therapy on trauma symptom severity and BPD diagnostic status (as established by the Structured Clinical Interview DSM-5) were determined. Additionally, the effects on psychological distress, quality of life, and difficulties in emotion regulation were determined at intake, post-treatment, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-up.ResultsBoth patients showed a strong decline in psychological distress and difficulties in emotion regulation, and reported an improvement in their quality of life. At post-treatment, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-up they no longer met the DSM-5 criteria for BPD.ConclusionThe findings of this small case study are in line with mounting evidence that a brief track of intensive trauma-focused therapy can result in long-term remission in patients with BPD. EMDR therapy seems to be a promising treatment approach for patients with BPD; however, the results need to be replicated in clinical trials.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1283145/fullEMDRborderline personality disordertraumaneglectcase studiesabuse |
| spellingShingle | Laurian Hafkemeijer Karin Slotema Nicole de Haard Ad de Jongh Ad de Jongh Ad de Jongh Ad de Jongh Case report: Brief, intensive EMDR therapy for borderline personality disorder: results of two case studies with one year follow-up Frontiers in Psychiatry EMDR borderline personality disorder trauma neglect case studies abuse |
| title | Case report: Brief, intensive EMDR therapy for borderline personality disorder: results of two case studies with one year follow-up |
| title_full | Case report: Brief, intensive EMDR therapy for borderline personality disorder: results of two case studies with one year follow-up |
| title_fullStr | Case report: Brief, intensive EMDR therapy for borderline personality disorder: results of two case studies with one year follow-up |
| title_full_unstemmed | Case report: Brief, intensive EMDR therapy for borderline personality disorder: results of two case studies with one year follow-up |
| title_short | Case report: Brief, intensive EMDR therapy for borderline personality disorder: results of two case studies with one year follow-up |
| title_sort | case report brief intensive emdr therapy for borderline personality disorder results of two case studies with one year follow up |
| topic | EMDR borderline personality disorder trauma neglect case studies abuse |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1283145/full |
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