Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a specialized form of psychotherapy that is used almost exclusively for treating PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and its associated conditions, including depression. EMDR typically is integrated into a conventional psychotherapy regimen and is not used alone to treat PTSD.
The theory behind EMDR is that stimulated rapid eye movement may help in the psychological processing of trauma. It is thought that the day's events and our reactions to them are processed during REM sleep . In a controlled EMDR session, moving light is used to induce rapid eye movement.
EMDR for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Who Can Be Helped By EMDR?
Positive therapeutic results with EMDR have been reported with a wide range of populations including the following:
- Combat veterans from Desert Storm, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and World War II who were formerly treatment resistant and who no longer experience flashbacks, nightmares, and other PTSD.
- Persons with phobias and panic disorder who revealed a rapid reduction of fear and symptoms.
- Crime victims and police officers who are no longer disturbed by the after-effects of violent assaults.
- People relieved of excessive grief due to the loss of a loved one or to line-of-duty deaths, such as engineers no longer devastated with guilt because their train unavoidably killed pedestrians.
- Children healed of the symptoms caused by the trauma of assault or natural disaster.
- Sexual assault victims who are now able to lead normal lives and have intimate relationships.
- Accident, surgery, and burn victims who were once emotionally or physically debilitated and who are now able to resume productive lives.
- Victims of sexual dysfunction who are now able to maintain healthy sexual relationships.
- Clients at all stages of chemical dependency, and pathological gamblers, who now show stable recovery and a decreased tendency to relapse.
- People with dissociative disorders who progress at a rate more rapid than that achieved by traditional treatment.
- People engaged in business, performing arts, and sport who have benefited from EMDR as a tool to help enhance performance.
- Clients with a wide variety of PTSD and other diagnoses who experience substantial benefit from EMDR.
There are more controlled studies on EMDR than on any other method used in the treatment of PTSD.
( http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/treatment/emdr/ptsd.asp )
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Questions and Answers
What is EMDR?
EMDR, or "Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing" is a technique which utilizes a characteristic motion of the eyes in conjunction with therapeutic guidance to bring about emotional healing at an accelerated rate. Although not part of the original EMDR teachings, clinical experiences have repeatedly demonstrated that EMDR also helps accelerate the physical healing process.
What is the history of EMDR?
EMDR has been used by trained mental health professionals since 1989. Its originator, Francine Shapiro PhD, discovered that moving her eyes in certain directions reduced emotional tension. Integrating her clinical experience, Francine has formulated a unique method which she calls EMDR
Who can benefit from EMDR?
Anyone who has ever experienced an upset that they have not recovered from. Often these people have one or more of the following symptoms in varying degrees: feeling "stuck", excess stress/tension, depression, anxiety, restlessness, sleep trouble, fatigue, appetite disturbances, and ongoing physical health concerns despite treatment. In the more severe cases: panic attacks, flashbacks, nightmares, obsessions, compulsions, eating disorder, and suicidal tendencies.
On the physical health front, EMDR is also a wonderful technique to assist with the healing of any physical health concern.
How does EMDR treatment work?
When an upset is experienced, it can become locked in the nervous system with the original picture, sounds, thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. This upset is stored in the brain (and also the body) in an isolated memory network preventing learning from taking place. Old material just keeps getting triggered over & over again and you end up feeling "stuck" emotionally. In another part of your brain, in a separate network, is most of the information you need to resolve the upset. It's just prevented from linking up to the old stuff. Once processing starts with EMDR, the 2 networks can link up. New information can then come to mind to resolve the old problems.
How effective is EMDR?
When compared to other methods of therapy (psychoanalysis, cognitive, behavioral, etc), EMDR has been rated as far more effective by mental health professionals. Clients experience emotional healing at an accelerated rate. If we use the metaphor of a driving a car through a tunnel to get to the other side, (where the tunnel represents the journey of healing and the other side of the tunnel represents the healed state), EMDR is like driving your car through the tunnel at very high speeds. Because of this accelerated processing, you should notice improvement within each session.
How does the overall treatment with EMDR look?
EMDR focuses first on the past, second on the present and third on the future. The past is focused on first because it is the past unresolved pain (whether it is childhood or the more recent past) which is causing pain in the present. Dealing with the past is therefore going to the root of the problem. For example, if a client comes in with depression and she has a history of being depressed since a death in her family, we would focus on the time around the death first because it is the root of the depression.
Once the past pain has been cleared, most of the present symptom picture will also be cleared. If anything is left unresolved in the present, it is attended to next.
Then comes preparation for the future. Many people have fears about healing ... how their life will change, how they will function with their new perspective on the world, etc. "Future" work is about being prepared.
What will I experience during an EMDR treatment?
Before any EMDR treatment, there is a preparation & assessment phase. The purpose of the preparation phase is to help you feel safe within yourself and to explain and demonstrate EMDR techniques so you know what to expect. The purpose of the assessment phase is to isolate memories to work with in EMDR that are the root of your emotional/physical pain today. The length of time for each of these phases varies per person dependant upon their individual needs.
Once the preparation and assessment phases are complete, the treatment phase begins. You will be asked to focus on a "target" image (one selected together during the assessment phase) while following the practioners fingers (open palm of hand or a pen) with your eyes. Once you start the eye movement, you will find it very difficult to focus on the memory. This is normal. The initial focusing on the memory opens the door to the memory, the EMDR completes the processing on a deeper subconscious level.
The eye movements are done in short sets (15-30 sec) with breaks in between of varying length dependant upon your needs. The sets continue until processing is complete for a given memory. You can stop the process at any time by raising your hand. It is important to remember that your brain is doing the processing and that you are the one in control.
EMDR is a passive process. Just will be asked to just let whatever happens, happen. You may experience feelings, thoughts, body sensations. You may experience nothing. Whatever you experience, you will be asked to notice it as if you were passing by it on a train rather than being within the experience. If at any time you feel overwhelmed, you only need to raise your hand to stop the process. You will be asked to share what comes up in the break between sets. There are no right or wrong answers.
Your feelings surrounding a given event will be rated by you (from 1-10) both prior to and after EMDR treatment. The aim of every EMDR session is noticeable improvement by the time you leave the session.
How long does each EMDR session last?
Sessions are done in either 60 or 90 min intervals.
How frequently is EMDR treatment recommended?
Dr. Shapiro recommends once per week if possible. However, I believe that frequency is about what ultimately feels comfortable for you.
How long is the overall treatment with EMDR?
It is important to note that EMDR is always done in the context of an overall therapy plan. The EMDR time portion itself varies for each individual. Starting off with at least 3 sessions of EMDR will give you some idea of its effectiveness for you and the rate at which you are healing. From there it is dependant upon your individual needs and situation.
Source: Julie Pegg ND, RPC Naturopathic Doctor, Registered Counselor
Link: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Q & A
I understand the process and the theories but my personal experience with EMDR was profound.
I can't describe the pain of post traumatic stress in clinical terms, but I can tell you how it felt for me. I felt heaviness in my chest like my heart was about to explode. Emotionally, I felt like I was constantly on the edge of tears and a panic attack could happen at any moment. I was too afraid to sleep for very long periods of time and if I did, I had nightmares about being chased with a gun. Almost anything could trigger a panic attack ... from new stories, chase scenes in movies, songs on the radio, even black cars (my attacker drove a black car) ... loud noises or sudden movements ... even the phone ringing ... Everything felt like a potential threat. I was exactly at that point when I had my first EMDR treatment.
Visualizing the night I was threatened by the gun, even though I was instructed to imagine it like it was outside "the train" was still WAY TOO CLOSE! Holding the memory in my mind, even for a few seconds, made me feel physically ill. My physical and emotional reactions were strong ... but quickly, almost miraculously, that scene and a LOT of the feelings that went with it seemed to just melt away like passing by them on a train ... As I moved away from the FEAR, the heaviness in my chest started to lift and I felt like I could breath again ...
It is hard for me to break every moment down for you. Describing my own healing isn't as important as communicating that IF YOU ARE STILL EXPERIENCING EXTREME PAIN AND LOSS, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing might help lift that pain and significantly heal you too!
I never was much of a believer in therapy ... mostly because I didn't really understand it and probably didn't think I needed it ... But therapy was a significant element in my recovery. I am grateful for the help I received from my therapist who is a truly gifted healer.
I am sharing this therapy with you for the same reason I share everything else ... to give you hope ... There can be an end to your suffering. You don't have to hurt anymore. There are things you can do. As always,
Take Care Of YOU!
