Did you know that 6 out of 100 Americans will, at one point, be diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.asp)?

If left untreated, PTSD can severely hamper one's life from getting poor grades and potentially dropping out of high school and college, having increased marital issues, and unemployment (Ronald C, Kessler JCP, 2000 Jan). Fortunately, many psychotherapy tools can provide hope for patients who have PTSD. One effective tool that can be used for ameliorating the symptoms of PTSD is through a therapy called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment. Developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR has given hope and relief to PTSD patients in recovering from psychological distress (Shapiro, Francine J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry, 1989 Sep). Today, let's dive into what EMDR is, how it works, and why it might be the transformative therapy you or a loved one needs.

 

Understanding EMDR and The Science Behind It

Unlike other forms of psychotherapy, which may focus on the event itself, EMDR emphasizes the emotional response to a traumatic event. When a traumatic event does occur, people start carrying negative beliefs about themselves that can further corrode their confidence and self-esteem. The ultimate goal of EMDR is to process traumatic memories by replacing long-standing negative beliefs about oneself with more assertive and confident beliefs about oneself.

 

What exactly happens to the brain during EMDR? The exact mechanism by which EMDR facilitates healing remains partially understood. However, it's believed that the eye movements in rhymatic bilateral stimulation during EMDR therapy may mimic the psychological state of REM sleep, which is the stage of sleep involved in processing memories (Robert, Stickgold et al. Science, 2001 Nov; Robert, Stickgold J Consult Clin Psychol, 2002 Jan; Fiona W, Jeffries Behav Cogn Psychother, 2013 May). With both hemispheres of the brain activated, EMDR helps integrate and diminish the emotional impact of traumatic memories (Uri, Bergmann J EMDR Pract Res, 2008 Nov).

 

How Does EMDR Work?

The process of EMDR first starts with visiting a past traumatic event and its resulting negative belief and ends with how the patient wants to feel and positive beliefs about themselves. From start to finish, this process consists of eight distinctive steps. The main component of EMDR that allows for processing and integrating traumatic memories is the utilization of bilateral stimulation through guided eye movements. Bilateral stimulation can also occur through touch via buzzers oscillating between each hand.

 

The Eight Phases of EMDR:

1. History and Treatment Planning: Identifying specific targets for EMDR processing requires a thorough understanding of the patient's history.

2. Preparation: Gain the patient's confidence and clarify the steps involved in EMDR therapy.

3. Assessment: Recognizing the clear mental picture associated with recollection, pessimistic convictions, feelings, and perceptions.

4. Desensitization: Engaging in EMDR processing with bilateral stimulation while concentrating on the memory.

5. Installation: The process of reinforcing optimistic convictions linked with the specific recollection.

6. Body Scan: Identify any remaining physical discomfort and use EMDR methods to tackle it.

7. Closure: Ensuring the patient's balance is restored by the conclusion of every session. This can be done by having the patient identify a serene place to them, like near the ocean or on top of a mountain.

8. Reevaluation: Evaluating the advancement of the individual and strategizing for upcoming appointments.

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The Benefits of EMDR Therapy and Whom It Can Benefit

EMDR therapy is successful in treating patients with PTSD and is currently being investigated for other disorders. Several conditions beyond PTSD can benefit from the application of EMDR therapy, providing optimism for those experiencing them, include:

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Depression

• Eating disorders

• Phobias

• Pain perception

• Substance abuse and addiction

• Performance anxiety

(Scelles, Charles and Luis Carlos Bulnes, Front Psychol, 2021 Sep)

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Conclusion

EMDR therapy is a powerful and unique approach to healing from trauma that involves eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. It enables individuals to process and integrate traumatic memories in a controlled and safe environment, providing an effective and sustainable pathway to recovery. If you or anyone you know struggles with the effects of trauma, consider exploring EMDR as a possible means of healing. It's important to remember that the healing journey begins with a single step, and EMDR could be that step you need to move forward from the past and towards a brighter future.