European Journal of Psychotraumatology (Nov 2023)

3MDR treatment in an adolescent with PTSD: a case report

  • Mariëlle Hoekstra,
  • Nancy van Veelen,
  • Jorien van Leeuwen,
  • Mirjam J. Nijdam,
  • Eric Vermetten

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2023.2272487
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 2

Abstract

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ABSTRACTBackground: As Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adolescents significantly impacts their well-being, effective treatment is of great importance. Little is known, however, about the novel, multi-modal virtual reality supported, exposure-based psychotherapeutic interventions such as 3MDR in this population.Objective: To describe the 3MDR treatment of an adolescent with PTSD who did not respond to previous exposure-based PTSD interventions.Method: A 14-year-old girl diagnosed with PTSD received six sessions of 3MDR embedded in family therapy.Result: The patient tolerated the 3MDR intervention very well. Personalized music and self-selected pictures appeared to be a good fit, contributing to enhanced engagement in and adherence to the therapy. She no longer met criteria for PTSD post-intervention, and at 18 months follow-up.Conclusion: This case report suggests that 3MDR has potential as a trauma treatment for adolescents with treatment-resistant PTSD.

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