somatisation

Dear Dr Shapiro

I'm an experienced psychologist, have taken Level I training and used EMDR with several clients - good results! I have one client (male, 35) who has severe PTSD of 18 months duration, and pre-morbid poor health (eg pancreatitis) but with possbile themes of somatisation. After our sessions, even the pre-EMDR assessemnts, he is quite ill - for up to two weeks. He is motivated and not overtly resistant. Any thoughts on how to deal with severe somatic reactions, which the client does not see as having any psychological component?

Michael Owen, Senior Psychologist, Tauranga Hospital, Tauranga, New Zealand

• What part of the soma? by Don Nathanson, 11/16/97
  • Appropriate affect/soma targeting by Francine Shapiro, 11/29/97
• Somatic manifestations by Francine Shapiro, 11/26/97
• Applying EMDR to somatic disorders by Andrew M. Leeds, 12/4/97