Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Abstract

Sexual violence against girlchild may trigger PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) which cause the individual feel helpless the whole life. This study aims to find out the effect of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) in reducing PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) suffered by a teen survivor of incest at YLPA (child protection agency foundation) of DIY (Yogyakarta special region). Subject of this study was17 years old girl who has PTSD symptoms as screened by the scale of IESR(Impact of event scale-Revised). Research carried out using a single case experimental design (N=1) with the design of the A-B-A-B with Follow Up. EMDR therapy was treated to the subject through a total of seven sessions. A qualitative interview and observation were also performed to capture the experience of the subject under the EMDR treatment. The results showed a decrease score of PTSD, as seen from the pretest (a score of 35), posttest (a scores of 4), and at the time of follow-up (a score of 3). That results were supported by interviews and observations that show the subject was able to manage her negative emotions and being able to control her selves when looking at objects that stimulate the trauma, and was able to find new positive beliefs. Based on these results, it is concluded that EMDR can decrease PTSD score suffered by victim of incestat YLPA DIY.