Treating distressing islands of memory: severe TBI and EMDR treatment for distressing experiences during post traumatic amnesia

Abstract

‘Severe’ Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivors are likely to be hospitalised and experience Post Traumatic Amnesia (PTA): a transient state of confusion, disorientation and memory loss, until the return of continuous memory. Survivors often experience distressing ‘islands’ of memory during PTA, and this can exacerbate psychological deterioration and lead to additional poor outcomes if left untreated. The literature for neuropsychological rehabilitation is well established in the multidisciplinary delivery of services for severe TBI, but the alleviation of post-traumatic distress caused during PTA has received little attention to date. This case report demonstrates how Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy might provide psychological improvement in clients who sustain severe TBI with distressing ‘islands’ of memory during PTA and provides a 4 year follow up to measure sustained benefits.