Using EMDR with Indian males with personality disorders: An approach that focuses on attachments and early life experiences

This presentation is a qualitative discussion of clinical cases of Indian Males diagnosed with Personality Disorder or having the traits of the three clusters as per DSM-5, where EMDR was used as primary psychotherapeutic approach. It was found out that these individuals reported attachment issues, and/or early traumatic/adverse life experiences that were hypothesized to contribute to the presenting complaints. Careful history was obtained for each case in Phase-1, with AIP informed approach, paying attention to early adverse life experiences and attachments. Emphasis was given to phase 2 before moving to further phases to help them stay in the window of tolerance and to strengthen/develop the adaptive networks of memory. A number of stabilization techniques, self-soothing techniques, emotion-management skills, present-time orientation skills, behaviour modification were used. Various protocols of EMDR such as EMDR standard protocol, Recent event protocol, EMD, were used. During Phase 3-7, the emphasize was given on selection of an appropriate target according to the clients’ need and preparedness during each session. The comprehensive treatment plan aimed at processing past traumatic experiences, recent triggers, and developing future templates for healthy personality patterns. Phase 8 was given significant importance to keep a check on clients’ stability, progress in therapy, processing of each target, and the global improvement. It was observed that the unhealthy behavioural patterns could be altered, and more adaptive patterns of coping were established. Using EMDR helped the clients gain new insights into their personality patterns.

Conference

English

Chintan Naik

Nail, C. (2020, January). Using EMDR with Indian males with personality disorders: An approach that focuses on attachments and early life experiences. Paper presented at the 4th EMDR Asia International Conference, Bangkok, Thailand