Treatment of Dissociative Symptoms and Depression as a Consequence of Mother’s Neglect during Childhood, using EMDR: Two Case Studies

Abstract

The present study reports two cases where clients (age 19 -23 yrs) suffer from major depressive disorder along with dissociative symptoms. History revealed emotional unavailability, neglect, and physical and verbal abuse by mother. Clients were assessed on Dissociative experience scale (DES) and Beck Depression inventory (BDI). Psychotherapeutic intervention was provided. Clients responded well with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and after almost one year of treatment, show improvement in their DES and BDI scores. They become assertive to cope with the situation at home and stable enough to carry out their day to day life. In both the above mentioned cases, mother’s emotional abuse and emotional neglect during childhood produced the long term impact, thus generating a negative self schema and flawed perception of outer world which resulted in PTSD as well as dissociative symptoms and depression. Their shattered ego required a long preparation phase. EMDR helped them in healing and in enhancing their coping pattern.