Re:Loss of Affect: can EMDR help?

Again, I have to caution you that unfortunately we can't do case consultations here, so I have to refer you back to your therapist.

I will offer a few general comments about anhedonia however. Anhedonia is a common symptom of depression. There are no controlled studies about the use of EMDR with depression, however, there are clinical anecdotal reports.

There are also a couple types of depression, those that appear to be biologically based and those that are reactive or in response to life events. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between those, especially when early life events may have contributed to very longstanding depression. EMDR has been clinically reported with both reactive depression (that is, in response to recent events, such as divorce, bereavement, and so forth) as well as with long-standing depression that was acquired earlier in life in response to events. Those cases are harder, but can be recognized as cases in which the client learned helplessness, hopelessness, silence and other responses. EMDR helps resolve those old "bereavements" of self.

Be aware that there are controlled studies that find that cognitive behavior therapy, interpersonal therapy, and certain medications do help depression.

EMDR can be a helpful addition to such a treatment plan.

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