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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the eye movement desensitization and repro- cessing (EMDR) protocol for recent traumatic events in the treatment of acute stress disorder. Within weeks of being exposed to an isolated traumatic event, 7 adults diagnosed with acute stress disorder were provided with multiple sessions of the EMDR protocol for recent traumatic events, an extended version of the EMDR therapy standard protocol. In each case, an individual's subjective distress caused by the traumatic events was measured using the Impact of Events Scale-Revised and the goal of alleviating symptoms was accom- plished. The positive results suggest the EMDR protocol for recent traumatic events may be an effective means of providing early treatment to victims of trauma, potentially preventing the development of the more severe symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.
Keywords: acute stress disorder; early trauma treatment; recent traumatic events protocol; eye move- ment desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR); case series; treatment outcome
In 1994, the diagnosis of acute stress disorder (ASD) was introduced in the diagnostic manual (Diag- nostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [4th ed., DSM-IV]) of the American Psychiatric Asso- ciation (1994). At that time, it was believed that acute stress reactions were probably a precursor to the de- velopment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Bryant, Friedman, Spiegel, Ursano, & Strain, 2011). ASD can be diagnosed only during the first four weeks after direct exposure to a traumatic event. Diagnostic criteria for ASD, according to the Diagnostic and Sta- tistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.; DSM-IV-TR; 2000), are (a) exposed to a traumatic experience; (b) displays at least three acute dissocia- tive symptoms; (c) has at least one reexperiencing symptom; (d) displays marked avoidance; (e) displays marked anxiety or increased arousal; and (f) the dis- turbance results in clinical distress or impairment.
Recovery From Acute Traumatic Stress and Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
Although many people recover from trauma over relatively short periods, suffering can be intense. The goal of diagnosing ASD is to facilitate early intervention and prevention of PTSD. There are arguments for and against treating ASD. Not all individuals with ASD require treatment, and most people who develop PTSD did not initially have ASD (Bryant, 2003; McFarlane, 2008; Roberts,...