EMDR on children affected by the earthquake

Efficacy of EMDR on Children Affected by Earthquake: The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of EMDR as an intervention technique for trauma victims. A sample of 50 students, studying in 10th grade, age ranging from 14 to 16 years were selected. The Impact of Event Scale (IES) was administered to measure the intensity of trauma experienced. A pre-post test research design was used in the study. The results were in the predicted direction. EMDR was found to be effective in reducing avoidance, intrusion and hyper arousal as well as overall impact of trauma. “Group EMDR With Earthquake Survivors” The current study is an attempt to understand the impact of a specific traumatic events and its expression in children i.e. the earthquake that occurred in Gujarat, Western India in January 2001. This study was a part of the therapy work conducted with the survivors of the earthquake by the group of 40 practitioners from Mumbai and was over 4 months. The paper will present the following aspects: 1. The symptoms seen among the children depicting PTSD as per DSM IV criteria. Signs of Hyper-arousal, Avoidance and Intrusion were clearly seen especially in children 2. The process used. This was a modified version of the standard 8 phase protocol appropriate for use with group work. Butterfly hugs were used as BLS. Stages of EMDR for this group: 3. Observations and a few unique experiences These include blocking of trauma image, difficulty in safe place visualizing, difficulty in distancing and using creative techniques for soothing and relaxation. 4. Impact of the EMDR intervention with this group More than 16000 children from about 30 schools were seen. based on observations and reports by teachers during the follow up showed reduction in anxiety, reports of life resembling pre-earthquake, improved attention and concentration, better sleeping patterns and lowering of somatic complaints. Impact and expression of trauma in children exposed to the earthquake: The current study is an attempt to understand the impact of a specific traumatic event and its expression in children i.e. the earthquake that occurred in Gujarat, western India in January 2001. The Butterfly hug technique for bilateral stimulation was used following 8 steps of EMDR. Drawings of children were used as their expressions during different phases of EMDR. Drawings during “ Assessment phase” depicted feelings of insecurity, a sense of vacuum and emptiness, low energy levels, a desire for contact and help, feelings of guilt, poor body image, hypersensitivity was noticed almost universally and even during therapy. Drawings, following the processing and installation phases indicated the facial expression changed to a smile. Tears which were present in almost all drawings were not noted Positive cognitions were reflected in terms of the growth and freshness e.g. the newly growing grass. In spite of the various symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder, no gross disintegration of personality had been noted.

Conference

English

Mrinalini Purandare
H’vovi Bhagwagar
Parul Tank

Purandare, M., Bhagwagar, H., & Tank, P. (2010, July). EMDR on children affected by the earthquake. Presentation at the 1st EMDR Asia Conference, Bali, Indonesia