Psychiatry Investig.  2008 Mar;5(1):60-65.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for Adolescent Depression

• Bae H
• Kim D
• Park YC

Abstract

While cognitive behavior therapy is considered to be the first-line therapy for adolescent depression, there are limited data on whether other psychotherapeutic techniques are also effective in treating adolescents with depression. This report suggests the potential application of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for treatment of depressive disorder related, not to trauma, but to stressful life events. At present, EMDR has only been empirically validated for only trauma-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Two teenagers with major depressive disorder (MDD) underwent three and seven sessions of EMDR aimed at memories of stressful life events. After treatment, their depressive symptoms decreased to the level of full remission, and the therapeutic gains were maintained after two and three months of follow up. The effectiveness of EMDR for depression is explained by the model of adaptive information processing. Given the powerful effects observed within a brief period of time, the authors suggest that further investigation of EMDR for depressive disorders is warranted.

Keyword

Adolescent; Depression; Major depressive disorder; Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing; Psychotherapy

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Automatic Data Processing
Cognitive Therapy
Depression*
Depressive Disorder
Depressive Disorder, Major
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
Eye Movements*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Psychotherapy
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic