Authors
Sara Carletto¹, Alessandra Minelli², Harne Hofmann³, Benedikt Amann^4
1University of Torino
²University of Brescia
³EMDRIA Germany
⁴Pompeu Fabra University Barcelona

Background and aims
Traumatic adversity can provoke biological dysregulation and epigenetic effects, and contribute to the onset and maintenance of a range of mental disorders. Psychological trauma is associated with the onset of depressive episodes, a worse clinical course, greater symptom severity and co-morbidity, and recurrence of depressive episodes. Also, studies have shown that up to 60% of patients with bipolar disorder have a history of traumatic events, which is associated with greater episode severity, higher risk of comorbidity and higher relapse rates.

Methods
During this symposium results regarding epigenetic mechanisms in association with the effects of exposure to parental trauma on the offspring, and the results of recent studies conducted on the application of EMDR therapy in patients with mood disoders.

Results
Dr. Minelli will present the biological dysregulations after traumatic events and the role of EMDR therapy in restoring such dysregulations. Dr. Hofmann will present on the importance of relapse rates after successful therapies of depressive patients. Dr. Amann will highlight the most important scientific data of EMDR in bipolar disorder. Dr. Carletto will present a summary of EMDR therapy in the perinatal context, with a specific focus on perinatal depression.

Conclusions
The next steps needed to advance knowledge on the use of EMDR in the field of depression and bipolar disorders will be discussed.

Abstract topic
EMDR and mood disorders

3 Learning objectives
1) the biological dysregulations and epigenetic effects associated with trauma and the role of EMDR
2) main research findings on the EMDR therapy for depression
3) EMDR therapy for bipolar disorder and in the perintal context