EMDR Treatment of Trauma-Related Recurrent Nightmares: A Case Report
Turkish Journal of Traumatic Stress January 31, 2026 Ekin Deniz Gümüştaş
A 31-year-old man with recurrent nightmares stemming from adverse experiences in a military high school was treated with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Though he did not meet full criteria for PTSD, his nightmares involved intense fear, helplessness, and autonomic arousal. EMDR was delivered across three weekly sessions using the standard eight-phase protocol with bilateral eye movements. Trauma-related emotional distress and nightmare frequency markedly decreased within one week and ceased entirely, with symptom remission maintained at three-month follow-up. This case suggests EMDR may be useful for isolated trauma-related nightmares linked to adolescent experiences.