The Benefits of EMDR
In the grand, perplexing buffet of psychological treatments, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) stands out, not just for its rather long and scientifically daunting name, but for its unique approach to healing the mind.
Reduction in Trauma Symptoms: EMDR has been found effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD, including flashbacks, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts
Decrease in Distress from Traumatic Memories: One of the primary goals of EMDR is to decrease the level of distress associated with traumatic memories. Studies have shown that EMDR can successfully reduce emotional distress.
Improved Emotional Stability: EMDR therapy helps individuals process and integrate traumatic memories, leading to improved emotional stability and better coping mechanisms.
Improvement in Other Areas of Life: The effects of EMDR can extend beyond the specific symptoms of PTSD, leading to improvements in relationships, work performance, and general life satisfaction.
EMDR Deep Dive
Now, if you’re anything like me, you might find the idea of treating deep-seated psychological distress through eye movements as logical as fixing a car engine by adjusting the rearview mirror. But, as it turns out, there's more to EMDR than meets the eye (pun absolutely intended).
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
First off, let’s address the elephant in the room: those bewildering acronyms. EMDR, which sounds like a government agency responsible for regulating the use of vowels, is actually a form of psychotherapy developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro. Shapiro, who must have been quite the observer, noticed that certain eye movements reduced the intensity of disturbing thoughts under certain conditions.
EMDR therapy is primarily used to treat PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). PTSD can be caused by a range of experiences, from the deeply traumatic to the seemingly mundane, but the common denominator is the lasting impression of distress.
How Does EMDR Work?
So, how does EMDR work? Picture this: you’re sitting in a therapist's office, which hopefully has more comfortable chairs than your average dentist's. The therapist asks you to recall a distressing event – not exactly a pleasant stroll down memory lane. While you’re doing this, the therapist directs you to perform a set of eye movements, usually following the therapist's fingers as they move back and forth across your field of vision.
Bilateral Stimulation
At this point, you might wonder, as I did, what on earth eye movements have to do with processing traumatic memories. But here's where it gets interesting. The theory is that the bilateral stimulation (that’s fancy talk for back-and-forth eye movements) somehow mimics the psychological state that occurs during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. REM sleep is where your brain busily processes the day's experiences. EMDR seems to help the brain reprocess frozen traumatic memories, essentially unlocking them and allowing the mind to heal.
Evidence for EMDR
As with any therapy, EMDR isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. But the growing body of research and countless success stories suggest that there’s merit to this eye-catching (again, pun intended) therapy. In conclusion, while EMDR is a fascinating and legitimate approach to psychotherapy. It’s a reminder that sometimes, to move forward, you need to look back and forth – quite literally.
-
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy versus Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in Patients with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials - Khan AM, et al., Cureus, 2018.
Comparison of EMDR Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Writing Therapy, and Wait-List in Pediatric PTSD Following Single-Incident Trauma: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial - de Roos C, et al., J Child Psychol Psychiatry, 2017.
EMDR Therapy for PTSD in Adults with Serious Mental Illness Within Forensic and Rehabilitation Services: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial - Every-Palmer S, et al., Trials, 2019.
25 Years of EMDR: The EMDR Therapy Protocol, Hypotheses of its Mechanism of Action, and a Systematic Review of its Efficacy in the Treatment of PTSD - Novo Navarro P, et al., Rev Psiquiatr Salud Ment (Engl Ed), 2018.
Psychological Therapies for the Treatment of PTSD in Children and Adolescents: Gillies D, et al., Evid Based Child Health, 2013.
-
The information and resources provided do not constitute medical or mental health advice, and are not a substitute for proper medical or mental health diagnosis, treatment or care from a medical or mental health professional. This Article provides general information only, and do not contemplate any specific circumstances of the users or any other parties.