Treating Combat-Related Stress Disorders: A Multiple Case Study Utilizing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) With Battlefield Casualties From the Iraqi War

Abstract

Casualties from the Iraqi War were evacuated to a field hospital in Rota, Spain, and were screened for combat-related stress conditions. Four combat veterans requested immediate relief of their posttraumatic symptoms prior to returning to the United States. A single session of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) led to significant improvement in their acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. A detailed account of those treatment sessions, as well as the proposed alterations of standard protocols for time-limited fieldwork, is presented. Compared to other early interventions, EMDR may be better suited for combat veterans. The results are promising but in need of further research.