EMDR in patients with a personality disorder
Description
Background
Personality disorders are frequently linked to traumatic and stressful life events, which play a significant role in their development and persistence. The effectiveness of Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has not yet been studied in individuals with personality disorders without PTSD.
Aims
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of EMDR therapy in treating personality disorders, regardless of PTSD. It also aimed to explore the impact of EMDR on various memory types that do not meet the PTSD A criterion.
Methods
Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted in which EMDR was compared with a waitlist control group. The first RCT evaluated the effectiveness of five weekly 90-minute sessions of EMDR therapy in reducing psychological symptoms and improving functioning in patients with a personality disorder without PTSD. The second RCT (TEMPO study) focused on the prevalence of PTSD and trauma-related symptoms in a sample of patients with a personality disorder and assessed the effectiveness of ten biweekly 90-minute EMDR therapy sessions across various types of adverse events.
Results
EMDR significantly reduced psychological symptoms and improved functioning in patients with a personality disorder, irrespective of PTSD diagnosis. The therapy proved to be able to effectively process memories involving Criterion A traumas and other stressful events, such as emotional neglect and emotional abuse. Symptom exacerbations, including suicidality and emotional dysregulation, were less common in the EMDR group.
Conclusions
EMDR is a promising treatment option for personality disorders. Further research is needed to further explore long-term outcomes.
Personality disorders are frequently linked to traumatic and stressful life events, which play a significant role in their development and persistence. The effectiveness of Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has not yet been studied in individuals with personality disorders without PTSD.
Aims
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of EMDR therapy in treating personality disorders, regardless of PTSD. It also aimed to explore the impact of EMDR on various memory types that do not meet the PTSD A criterion.
Methods
Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted in which EMDR was compared with a waitlist control group. The first RCT evaluated the effectiveness of five weekly 90-minute sessions of EMDR therapy in reducing psychological symptoms and improving functioning in patients with a personality disorder without PTSD. The second RCT (TEMPO study) focused on the prevalence of PTSD and trauma-related symptoms in a sample of patients with a personality disorder and assessed the effectiveness of ten biweekly 90-minute EMDR therapy sessions across various types of adverse events.
Results
EMDR significantly reduced psychological symptoms and improved functioning in patients with a personality disorder, irrespective of PTSD diagnosis. The therapy proved to be able to effectively process memories involving Criterion A traumas and other stressful events, such as emotional neglect and emotional abuse. Symptom exacerbations, including suicidality and emotional dysregulation, were less common in the EMDR group.
Conclusions
EMDR is a promising treatment option for personality disorders. Further research is needed to further explore long-term outcomes.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Hafkemeijer, L., & de Jongh, A. (2025, June). EMDR in patients with a personality disorder. Presentation at the 25th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Prague, Austria
Collection
Citation
“EMDR in patients with a personality disorder,” Francine Shapiro Legacy Library, accessed May 24, 2025, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/29753.