What symptoms does EMDR help with?
What conditions and problems does EMDR treat? The most widespread use of EMDR is for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental healthcare providers also use it in the treatment of the following conditions: Anxiety disorders: Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias and social anxiety/phobia.
EMDR therapy is a trauma therapy that is sometimes considered controversial. The reasons someone might think it is a controversial therapy option are the potential adverse side effects and the lack of long-term research. EMDR is safe and effective, but there are some risks associated with the therapy.
EMDR is an individual therapy typically delivered one to two times per week for a total of 6-12 sessions, although some people benefit from fewer sessions.
EMDR therapy is an effective treatment option for people suffering from anxiety, panic, PTSD, or trauma. It's a way to get past your past. EMDR is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma.
If you're emotions feel overwhelming or if you tend to shut down when you feel an emotion you may not be ready for EMDR treatment. EMDR therapy relies on your body and mind's ability to process through your thoughts and feelings. If you're unable to process in that way, EMDR therapy may not be effective.
Several studies have shown that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is incredibly effective for those suffering from PTSD, with some showing as much as a 77% success rate.
Evidence for reductions in auditory hallucinations and paranoid thinking was mixed. No adverse events were reported, although initial increases in psychotic symptoms were observed in two studies. Average dropout rates across the studies were comparable to other trauma-focused treatments for PTSD.
EMDR temporarily slows your over-stimulated amygdala down and synchronises your brain waves helping you process the traumatic memory. This suggests that during EMDR therapy the traumatic memories are continuously “reactivated, replayed and encoded into existing memory networks”.
It has been found to be not as effective in patients who have experience childhood trauma. Dr. Van Der Kolk suggests EMDR doesn't work as well in children because of the mental and biological changes that occur in children who experience chronic child abuse.
EMDR is an eight-phase treatment method. History taking, client preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure and reevaluation of treatment effect are the eight phases of this treatment which are briefly described.
How long does EMDR last for?
Length of treatment
Sessions are held weekly and last up to 90 minutes. For most patients a small number of sessions are offered. For patients who have experienced very severe trauma, or more than one trauma, the therapy can last for a year or more.
After the First Session
The traumatic memory will start to be desensitized and will at the very least be less emotionally distressing. However, EMDR opens up the memory networks in the brain and many clients may notice new memories, additional details, or dreams after the first session.
EMDR showed a higher efficacy rate in reducing anxiety symptoms, and reducing stress in those suffering from PTSD: 'Regarding reducing anxiety, the current meta-analysis reported that EMDR was better than CBT in alleviating anxiety, which is consistent with the findings of Moreno-Alcazar et al.
The number of sessions depends upon the specific problem and client history. However, repeated controlled studies have shown that a single trauma can be processed within 3 sessions in 80-90% of the participants.
In this way, EMDR can be one of the most powerful tools we have for repairing self-esteem. The EMDR process doesn't teach people to change their view of themselves, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy does. With EMDR, the negative beliefs just suddenly don't make sense to the person anymore.
17. Is EMDR psychotherapy? EMDR is a form of psychotherapy, a specialized, brain-based method for healing trauma. But unlike conventional therapy, you're not talking back-and-forth with the therapist for the entire session.
EMDR allows you to maintain a dual focus by addressing your beliefs in a more positive manner while dealing with problematic memories. The most fundamental difference is that EMDR does not induce the trance-like state attributed to hypnosis.
Many studies have shown Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) to be very effective for treating Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), but there are some additional considerations and elements of the treatment that are modified or added from treatment of single-event PTSD.
Tiredness after an EMDR session is completely normal. This does not only happen after an EMDR session, but can also happen after a deep conversation with your therapist.
Each individual reacts differently to EMDR therapy, but as a general rule, a typical session will last anywhere between 60-90 minutes. Getting to the bottom of a traumatic memory and completely rewiring your brain can take anywhere between three to twelve sessions.
Can I do EMDR on myself?
It is possible to self-administer EMDR on yourself; however, it is not often recommended. If you do decide to try a self-administered EMDR program, it is recommended to only do so for smaller-scale traumas, such as something "minor" that has happened in the present.
The GGZ views EMDR to be one of the best trauma treatments at this time, it does have an awkward side effect: it can elicit false memories. This appeared from the PhD research by Maastricht forensic psychologist Sanne Houben.
It will make you feel worse.
This is also not true! EMDR therapy may be emotionally intense, but it is not meant to make you feel worse. The goal of EMDR therapy is to help you process the trauma and reduce the negative emotions associated with it.
EMDR does not recover repressed memories.
EMDR only assists the brain in reprocessing unstable processed memories. If the brain has locked away a memory, it has done so for a reason. This therapy will not unlock something that it is not ready for.
Generally, it's common to feel lighter and less weighed down after going through EMDR. The problem that brought you to therapy often feels less significant, and old triggers won't have their usual effect. You'll likely find that you are no longer scared or anxious about things that once bothered you.