Exploration of eye movement desensitization as part of treatment of traumatic memories/post traumatic stress disorder in rape survivors in South Africa

This study documents eye movement desensitization (EMD) therapy sessions of 2 female in-patients suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of rape. The literature review considers the three main approaches to understanding and treating PTSD (psychodynamic, crisis, and behavioural), before consideration of EMD. A brief comparison of EMD and Hypnosis is also presented in this section. The case material provides an account of the application of EMD and its therapeutic outcome. The patients' verbal reports and nurses' observations were used as measurement strategies to estimate the therapeutic success. The discussion explores various factors which influenced the therapeutic outcome. In conclusion it is hypothesized that EMD has a cathartic effect which needs to be further explored and considered in its theorization. Finally, implications of the findings for clinical work with PTSD in South Africa are discussed.

Dissertation/Thesis

English

Kealogetswe Maureen Mongale

Mongale, K. M. (1995). Exploration of eye movement desensitization as part of treatment of traumatic memories/post traumatic stress disorder in rape survivors in South Africa. (Masters thesis, University of Cape Town).