Rapid efficacy of the EMDR in treatment of persistent complex bereavement disorder

What is it about?

Grief occurs following the loss of a beloved one and it is a normal experience. However, prolonged (>6 months) grief can serve as a ground for a pathological situation. According to DSM-5, persistent complex bereavement disorder (PCBD) is diagnosed if the grief period exceeds twelve months. If this grief experience accompanies a traumatic event, DSM-5 Appendix recommends including Traumatic Death Specifier. In the process of PCBD, there can be several symptoms such as decreased functionality, sleep disorders, depressed mood, guilt feelings, somatic disorders and denial of the death. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the treatment methods for PCBD. In this study, two cases diagnosed with PCDB and recovered apparently with a time-limited EMDR treatment are presented.

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Why is it important?

EMDR therapy may be helpful to increase the functionality of people who suffer from complex grief in a short time.