EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, also known as EMDR
WHAT IS EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, also known as EMDR, is a thorough form of psychotherapy that aids in processing and healing from past traumas that are negatively influencing your mental health and wellness.
The technique is based on the idea that when painful and traumatic memories aren’t fully processed, post-traumatic stress disorder can result. You then relive those unprocessed memories when certain sights, sounds, words, or odors trigger them.
The mental distress and other symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder are brought on by this reliving (PTSD).
The goal of EMDR is to lessen the effects of trauma by altering the way memories are stored in the brain. To put it simply, an EMDR therapist does this by guiding you through a series of bilateral (side-to-side) eye movements as you gradually recall distressing or triggering events until they no longer trigger you.
IS EMDR EFFECTIVE?
You might be a little dubious about the claim that moving your eyes while reflecting on a distressing event can somehow lessen unpleasant memories.
The method’s effectiveness isn’t fully understood by specialists, but some think it may be because revisiting traumatic memories may feel less emotionally upsetting when you aren’t giving them your whole focus.
In other words, the bilateral stimulation (BLS) technique utilized in EMDR provides you something to concentrate on as you access distressing memories and unwelcome ideas.
This makes your memory less vivid and gives you more time to analyze it without experiencing a strong psychological reaction.
WHAT DOES EMDR HELP IN?
The most common use of EMDR is in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder or trauma (PTSD). It is accepted as a PTSD treatment by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
But it can also be used to treat a variety of mental health issues, including as personality disorders and more severe conditions like psychosis and psychosis, such as anxiety, depression, addictions, behavioural problems, and marital problems.
It isn’t often evident that this is the case, but many of these issues may actually have their roots in some form of trauma, whether it be someone who has been bullied, criticized, or harmed in some other way as a child or an adult.
RESEARCH ON EMDR
Numerous research conducted since EMDR’s debut in 1987 have confirmed its efficacy.
A study mentioned that EMDR can assist in easing emotional suffering following negative situations and might be quicker and more efficient than trauma. [1]
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with a focus on somatic symptoms, such as pain or muscle tension, may be helpful.
EMDR FOR DEPRESSION
EMDR therapy showed promise as a treatment in a study patient undergoing inpatient care for depression: 68% of those receiving EMDR demonstrated full remission after treatment. At follow-up more than a year later, they saw fewer relapses and depression-related issues in addition to more general improvements in depression symptoms following EMDR. [2]
EMDR FOR PTSD
2018’s brief study the advantages of EMDR for Syrian refugees with PTSD were examined by Trusted Source. Over 61% of the 18 participants who had EMDR as part of a group therapy intervention subsequently no longer met the requirements for a PTSD diagnosis. People who had EMDR also reported having fewer depressive symptoms. [3]
EMDR FOR PANIC DISORDER
A study including panic disorder sufferers found that EMDR is just as effective as CBT at treating the symptoms of panic disorder. [4]
HOW DOES EMDR THERAPY WORK?
A therapist will work through a number of stages with you as part of EMDR, which has a set structure. These include determining your current symptomatology, your EMDR readiness, and how your past has impacted your present.
The therapist will also discuss the causes of your current symptoms and how trauma affects the brain and seems to persist indefinitely.
To determine where you are in the therapy process, your therapist will first go over your symptoms and medical history.
Talking about your trauma and identifying potential memories to address are also part of this evaluation process.
Phase 2 for EMDR therapy is to assist you manage and deal with the emotional or psychological stress you’re going through or any uncomfortable feelings that might surface during therapy, your therapist will teach you a few different coping mechanisms. The term for this is resourcing.
For instance, you might study mindfulness practices and deep breathing techniques for managing stress.
In the third phase an assessment will be taken by your therapist where they will assist you in choosing a particular memory to target during the third stage of EMDR therapy, along with any pertinent details of that memory, such as:
- unpleasant feelings or symptomology
- unwanted ideas or pictures
- undesirable or upsetting self-beliefs
Next stages focus on the targeted memories which will subsequently be addressed by your therapist using EMDR treatment procedures. There are four steps to this:
Desensitization: You’ll concentrate on that unfavourable thought, recollection, or image. You’ll be guided through bilateral stimulation (BLS) at the same time, which may entail tapping, precise eye movements, auditory tones, or blinking lights.
After that, you’ll let your mind wander and pay attention to any thoughts or emotions that arise on their own. After you recognise these ideas, your therapist could ask you to return to the traumatic memory or go on to another, depending on whether the experience is no longer associated with negative feelings.
Installation: In phase three, you identified an undesirable self-belief or image that you will “install” in lieu of. Through yet another BLS repetition, you’ll concentrate on this notion.
Body check: Your therapist will inquire as to whether the selected memory causes any uneasy physical pain or sensations. If so, they will guide you through another BLS iteration.
Closure: Your therapist will review your progress with you after each session and offer relaxation exercises and other coping mechanisms that can help you retain your gains.
ONLINE EMDR THERAPY
If you would rather connect with a therapist online at HopeQure but are interested in trying EMDR, you should be aware that recent research indicates it might still be useful in an online setting.
In a study, EMDR therapists that treat adults, children, and young adults online were surveyed. The findings showed that EMDR delivered online was still effective in easing mental health problems. [5]
