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Therapy helps Coogee shark attack survivor Leah Stewart overcome nightmares
Leah Stewart says therapy has helped her recover mentally after a suspected shark attack at Coogee Beach in June. The 35-year-old, who had experienced recurring nightmares and felt as if she were back in the water, says the nightmares have stopped and she can now remember the attack without reliving it physically.
Stewart began eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), which she described as life-changing. The attack left her in a coma for two weeks and led to multiple operations, including the amputation of her arm below the elbow; a skin graft on her leg later failed. She continues to share milestones in her recovery and hopes to take part in a community swim at Coogee next year.
In short
- Leah Stewart says EMDR has stopped her attack-related nightmares.
- She can now recall the event without feeling back in the water.
- She is recovering from serious injuries and hopes to swim at Coogee next year.
Explained simply
Coogee Beach is a popular swimming spot in Sydney, Australia. Stewart was seriously injured in a suspected shark attack there in June; she spent two weeks in a coma and later had several operations, including the amputation of part of her arm.
EMDR is a form of therapy that uses guided eye movements while a person recalls distressing experiences. Stewart has spoken about how the attack affected her mental health and about her continuing physical recovery.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Coogee shark attack victim Leah Stewart reveals major update on mental health recovery: ‘Nightmares have stopped’”.