A sociological study of patients undergoing EMDR in Iran

Considering the fact that EMDR has been effective in treating patients suffering from some otherwise helpless traumas, and the fact that many of these types of traumas are socially related resulting from specific social settings and contexts and through particular socio-economic processes, Medical Sociology can be fruitful in surveying both the patients and the circumstances. Studies of this type are promising when we remember these traumas are inflicted within a sociological environment and the treatment and therapy is carried out with cognitive-cultural considerations. Moreover, there have been very interesting cases and even some prominent instances, to which EMDR has been applied in Iran which are referred to extensively and partly even universally. As an example is the EMDR therapy of the group of 12-13 years old girls victimized sexually, or the war traumatized veterans. There is also a good number of mental disorder hospitals (e.g. Sadr psychiatric hospital, Mehregan mental hospital, and Em Hossoein hospital) as well as recognized practitioners, in Tehran, as EMDR references. This paper will give an overview of the EMDR in Iran and its developments particularly in Tehran, and portrays some examples of the medical-sociological studies that can help to better understand and offer more comprehensive services to the cases. In addition, we hope, the participation and presentation of this type can realize further cooperation, and exchange of experiences, in the Asian region.

Conference

English

Mohamed Tavakol

Tavakol, M. (2014, January). A sociological study of patients undergoing EMDR in Iran. In EMDR for enhancement and integration (Ann Parichavan, Chair). Presentation at the 2nd EMDR Asia International Conference, Manila, The Philippines