EMDR in the treatment of fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia or Fibromyalgia Syndrome is a chronic pain disorder that causes fatigue, muscle pain and tenderness, sleep deprivation. Fibromyalgia is also called “soft-tissue rheumatism” and it affects number of people’s lives around the world. Other fibromyalgia symptoms include concentration and memory problems, depression, sleep problems, and perception problems. Research indicates that having adverse childhood events or traumatic memories may be related to the ensuing of Fibromyalgia. Regarding the research findings and understanding of AIP Model we worked with a client, who is diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, with EMDR Therapy. We also conducted single-case design research with the client. 3-month follow up session was also done. We did some recorded sessions under live supervision of the EMDR Trainer of Emre Konuk. The results demonstrated that EMDR is effective in treatment of Fibromyalgia, also 3 months later than the end of therapy. Psychiatrist Kavakcı, worked with another 7 Fibromyalgia patients with EMDR Therapy and carried out a research. The findings were almost similar.

Fibromyalgia is an example of medically unexplained illnesses. It is a chronic disease and affects the patient’s metal health, well being, daily life and relationships with other people. Many people could not get benefit from medical and alternative treatments. This presentation would be important as it will give scientific findings about the effectiveness of EMDR Therapy. In this workshop the EMDR Treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome will be explained and the research will be presented. Moreover, the video demonstration of treatment will be done.

Conference

English

Emre Konuk
Zeynap Zat
Onder Kavakci
Tuba Akyuz

Konuk, E., Zat, Z., Kavakci, O., & Akyuz, T. (2014, June). EMDR in the treatment of fibromyalgia. In EMDR specialty presentations (Emre Konuk, Chair). Presentation at the 15th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland