EMDR aims to desensitize a patient from anxieties and stressful or traumatic experiences. The therapist will use visual stimulation while the patient recalls details of the stressor. The patients' thoughts then get shifted from negative ones to positive ones. For example: instead of feeling helpless in school while learning a new subject the patient feels as though they may be able to overcome those feelings of hopelessness and conquer the new subject. 

How EMDR Works

This form of therapy has been deemed effective at reducing symptoms associated with ADs. In addition to reduced symptoms, the patients can be expected to develop better problem-solving skills and coping mechanisms for dealing with the ilness-causing stressor. These effects are long term. 

EMDR Therapy Effectiveness 

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing or EMDR is a type of therapy. It can be used as a treatment for adjustment disorders as it leads to a decrease in symptoms for those diagnosed with ADs (specifically children and adolescents).

New York University

Treating adjustment disorders is very important. Intervention must come rapidly to prevent significant disturbances in the patient's life such as relationship disturbances or trouble functioning in social settings. When treating ADs specifically the aim is to restore the patient's mental health, identify the stressor, work on coping mechanisms, change their perspective on the stressor, and establish relationships to help deal with the stressor. 

Treating Adjustment Disorders 

Bucan-Varatanovic, A., Sabanovic, S.. The Application of EMDR Therapy in Treating Adolescents with the Adjustment Disorder: A Case Study (2021). https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/382677 

The Application of EMDR Therapy in Treating Adolescents with the Adjustment Disorder: A Case Study

Psychotherapy or psychodynamic psychotherapy is often the most favorable and most common treatment for Adjustment Disorders. It is more effective than no treatment (although there have been very few studies done with randomized control groups), and more effective than other forms of therapy.

Psychotherapy for Adjustment Disorders

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing in treating Adjustment Disorders

Pharmacotherapy is when a disorder is treated with medication. The medications used are psychotropics which are any drugs or substances that affect how the brain may work. Pharmacotherapy is commonly used in combination with psychotherapy to treat ADs.

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