The acronym EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that helps people to process and get over traumatic events that happened in their lives. EMDR is most often used when treating patients with post traumatic disorder. Its effectiveness in helping survivors of car accidents, rape, war, and childhood abuse has seen the approach grow rapidly in terms of popularity.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR uses a person’s own rapid eye movements to reduce the emotional intensity of painful memories. Research shows that there is a link between the rhythm of a person’s eye movements (similar to what occurs as he or she enters REM sleep) and memories of traumatic events. Stimulating a person’s vision while they recall a traumatic memory can help to reprocess how that memory is stored and reduce the intense emotions associated with it.
What happens during an EMDR session?
During an EMDR session, your therapist may move his fingers back and forth in front of your face so that you can follow these motions with your eyes. While this is happening, your therapist may ask you to recall a traumatic memory and describe how you were feeling at that time. As the session progresses, your therapist will help you to shift your focus from negative thoughts to positive ones. It is important to note that some therapists do not use finger movements during treatment. Instead, they may use their hand, a pen, musical tones, or toe tapping to stimulate your vision.
EMDR consists of eight phases and no medication is involved. The eight phases of treatment are outlined below:
- Phase 1 – Identifying emotional distress
- Phase 2 – Use of imagery and techniques to reduce stress
- Phases 3 to 6 – You are encouraged to identify negative self beliefs and related emotions
- Phases 7 and 8 – You use techniques to calm yourself and your therapist evaluates your progress
What is the connection between EMDR and addiction?
Studies show that many people with drug and/or alcohol addiction have past trauma. In fact, a large percentage of people turn to these addictive substances as a way of managing that trauma. As EMDR helps people to overcome trauma, it may help traumatized individuals with addiction issues to stay away from addictive substances. Therefore, EMDR plays a key role in addiction treatment.
Can you do EMDR on yourself?
Given the effectiveness of EMDR and the costs associated with professional treatment, many people ask the question: can you do EMDR on yourself ? At present, the internet offers many auditory and visual resources that can help you to self administer EMDR. If these resources are effectively used in conjunction with a thorough understand of the EMDR process, you may experience positive results. However, it is strongly recommended that you engage in EMDR with a trained and licensed mental health professional as accessing intense emotionally charged memories may lead to erratic behavior or contribute to relapse.
