Page 113 - Post-traumatic stress disorder in adults with mild intellectual disability: Screening, assessment, and brief intensive EMDR therapy

Experiences with intensive EMDR and rotating therapists
Professional caregiver two (before therapy): “I am actually really
glad he is going to do it [EMDR therapy], because I am especially
curious to see the young man he might become afterwards.”
Participant two had never received EMDR therapy before. He said he was
motivated to participate and hoped that the therapy would make everyday
activities, such as going to the shop, easier. However, he was unable to
explain what he precisely meant by this or why he expected this outcome. He
especially hoped that his sleep would improve, as he frequently experienced
nightmares and often lay awake at night. His professional caregiver said
that she was pleased he was starting the therapy. Although she could
not specify what she expected to change as a result of successful EMDR
therapy, she was curious about its potential effects on the participant.
Participant two (before therapy): “Not talking about it [traumatic
memories] is not an option anyway.”
Professional caregiver two (before therapy): “I expect that he
will just go through it [EMDR therapy] completely fine, because
it [EMDR therapy] is functional for him, but I think there is still a
chance that he might shut down.”
Although participant two could not clearly articulate what he expected from
the EMDR therapy, he was aware that discussing his traumatic memories
would be necessary during treatment. Professional caregiver two expected
him to participate well in therapy because it was important to him. However,
she also acknowledged the possibility that he would shut down and would
be unable to talk if he became overwhelmed.
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Professional caregiver two (after therapy): “He broke down, he
was crying like a little child, just really crying. In the end, we
drove to the sheepfold. He cried the entire way in the car, but
nothing came out. Then we walked around a bit there, looked
at the sheep, and he started to calm down a bit. I did not talk
about it any further, and later on he brought it [traumatic event]
up again.”
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