The effect of EMDR therapy in patients with bipolar disorder and a history of traumatic events: a randomized controlled trial.

INTERVENTION: Participants are randomized to receive 8 90‐minute sessions of EMDR next to treatment as usual or to receive only treatment as usual. Standard protocols are used, and treatment is not preceded by stabilizing psychotherapeutic interventions. CONDITION: ; bipolar disorder ; manic depressive illness 10026753 PRIMARY OUTCOME: The main study parameter is a significant decrease in affective symptoms ; measured by daily mood reports with the National Institute of Mental Health ; Life Chart Methodology (NIMH LCM), Altman Selfrating Mania Scale‐NL (ASRM‐NL) ; and/or the Inventory of Depressive Symptoms‐Self Report (IDS‐SR). ; SECONDARY OUTCOME: The secondary study parameter is a significant reduction of trauma symptoms ; measured by the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and the PTSD Checklist ; for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)‐5 (PCL‐5). ; ; Another study parameter is that EMDR does not lead to mood episodes or an ; increase of mood symptoms. ; INCLUSION CRITERIA: ‐ * 18 years of age ‐ A primary diagnosis of DSM‐5 bipolar I or II disorder ‐ A history of (a) traumatic event(s) that is still causing clinically relevant distress