Psychological treatment of three urban fire fighters with post-traumatic stress disorder using eye movement desensitisation reprocessing (EMDR) therapy

Authors: Klonoff, P. S., Talley, M. C., Dawson, L. K., Myles, S. M., Watt, L. M., Gehrels, J. & Henderson, S. W.
Year Published 2004
Publication Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery
Volume 10
Number 3
Pages 186-193
Publisher Elsevier
Background

Due to the nature of their work, which can be extremely traumatic, firefighters are at increased risk of developing mental health problems. Providing adequate mental health services can often take time, leaving the individual without supports and remaining disabled and off work.

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the partnership between the South Wales fire service and a NHS department of liaison psychiatry and the rapid psychological treatment provided to traumatized personnel.

Setting

The setting was a mental health center, in South Wales, United Kingdom.

Sample

This article describes three cases in which all suffered with PTSD and were treated with Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing therapy.

Data Collection

The study looks at three case studies

Control

There was no control or comparison condition.

Findings

All three individuals benefited from a short time in treatment and were able to return to work or work with less trauma.

Conclusions

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing therapy appears to be a potentially useful psychological treatment for PTSD.

URL http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15279860
Disabilities Emotional disturbance
Populations Male
Outcomes Return to work
NIDILRR Funded Not Reported
Research Design Case reports
Peer Reviewed Yes