PubMed · 7204153
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R Oelman. 1981. Experiential innovations within the psychoanalytic movement.. https://doi.org/10.1521/jaap.1.1981.9.1.71
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The irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by abdominal pain, altered bowel habits and various other digestive symptoms. Emotional factors are important in some patients. I describe here a metaphor which links the altered motility of the digestive system to the emotional contents it may embody. A metaphor of a river is used to evoke both a smooth, coordinated flow through the normal digestive tract and a normal flow in the management of the patient's emotions. The possibility that some blockage has occurred in the river, resulting in perturbation of the normal flow is then suggested to the patient. This is followed by a suggestion for the patient to clear the blockage. This approach may lead patients to work on the emotional components of their symptoms, resulting in their subsequent resolution. I have used this approach with several patients and it proved very effective. This paper demonstrates the use of this metaphor in one of the patients.
1. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an integrative therapy that "unlocks" disturbing memories or beliefs and reprocessess them, in some way, so they are no longer as disabling. 2. EMDR can be used for any experientially based psychological problems and has proven especially effective for traumatic imagery associated with posttraumatic stress disorder. 3. A primary benefit of EMDR is its time efficiency, requiring as few as 3 to 5 hours of treatment. 4. Many potential mechanisms (i.e., cognitive, hypnotic, self-disclosure, biological) may account for the effectiveness of EMDR.
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