Eye closure, eye movements: ECEM for the treatment of panic and depersonalization disorders

ECEM, a novel technique that integrates the eye movement component of EMDR within hypnosis, will be presented, with specific application to panic disorder and to depersonalization disorder, conceptualized as a subtype of panic disorder. The workshop will (1) provide a research review of neurophysiology and behavioral measures that support conceptualization of depersonalization disorder as a subtype of panic disorder; (2) discuss the use of ECEM (eye movements within hypnosis) to treat panic and depersonalization disorder; (3) describe specific procedures using ECEM to interrupt attacks of panic and depersonalization disorder; (4) describe how ECEM is used to reverse (up-regulate) feeling of unfamiliar self, sensory numbness, cognitive freezing, de-realization - core symptoms of depersonalization disorder; and (5) describe how ECEM is used to manage anticipatory anxiety associated with panic or depersonalization disorder, recognizing overlap and differences in hypnotic techniques and utilization of eye movements within hypnosis for each disorder. Participants should be familiar with, or planning to take courses in EMDR. The experiential component will include practice in managing dysfunctional breathing patterns, practice in utilization of self-generated eye movements within hypnosis to treat anticipatory anxiety-fear of panic or depersonalization episodes, and demonstration of hypnotic techniques to up-regulate core symptoms of depersonalization disorder. Upon completing this workshop, the participant should be able to: 1. Define three key characteristics of panic disorder and depersonalization; 2. Discuss ECEM and describe how ECEM is varied to treat one key similarity and one key diff erence that is required in the management of an episode of depersonalization disorder as distinct from panic disorder; and 3. Apply ECEM (hypnotic techniques and eye movements within hypnosis) to modify anticipatory anxiety that is a feature of both panic and depersonalization disorder.

Conference

English

Harrriet E. Hollander

Hollander, H. E. (2009, March). Eye closure, eye movements: ECEM for the treatment of panic and depersonalization disorders. Presentation at the 51st American Society of Clinical Hypnosis Annual Scientific Meeting, Boston, MA