EMDR Therapy as an Adjunct in the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa: A Narrative Review of Trauma-Focused Approaches
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12923/2353-8627/2025-0020Keywords:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), anorexia nervosa (AN), trauma and PTSD in eating disorders, negative self-beliefs and body image disturbance, comprehensive multidisciplinary treatmentAbstract
Introduction: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder marked by chronic calorie restriction, distorted body image, and high mortality. Despite available treatments, long-term success is limited, with frequent relapses. Evidence suggests trauma-related factors play a key role in AN development and maintenance, emphasizing the need for innovative therapies. This review evaluates Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as an adjunct in AN treatment, especially for patients with trauma histories, and synthesizes current research on its effectiveness.
Material and methods: A literature review from 2020-2025 was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Selected studies include empirical research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses on EMDR’s role in treating AN and trauma. Methodological quality and relevance were assessed.
Results: Originally used for treatment of PTSD, EMDR seems promising as a complementary approach in AN, particularly for those with traumatic backgrounds. Incorporating EMDR as an alongside standard treatments (e.g., CBT-E) improves BMI, reduces dissociative and psychopathological symptoms, and aids processing of negative beliefs and body image issues. Therapy EMDR targets unprocessed traumatic memories, enhancing emotional regulation and self-perception, and may reduce trauma-related symptoms, especially in complex cases involving childhood maltreatment.
Conclusions: EMDR is a valuable adjunct in multidisciplinary AN treatment, aiding in trauma processing and symptom reduction. Further large-scale studies are needed to establish standardized protocols and integration strategies within comprehensive care.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Grzegorz Kurec, Oliwia Burdan, Filip Kazimierz Gajewski (Autor)
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