If you suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), then you know how difficult it can be to go through daily life. One effective treatment used to treat OCD is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a treatment recommended for those whose OCD stems from trauma.
Let’s learn more about this globally recognized therapeutic approach.
EMDR Protocol for OCD
The EMDR protocol for OCD helps address unprocessed memories and experiences that may contribute to the condition. When someone has OCD, there’s a chance that their fears and anxieties are related to traumatic or stressful past events.
When using EMDR to treat OCD, the therapist will first assess your overall condition. They work to identify past experiences that may contribute to the prevalence of different symptoms.
After your condition has been thoroughly reviewed, EMDR helps assess distressing conditions by helping replace any negative beliefs with more positive ones. This is done through bilateral stimulation, which involves alternating stimulation of both sides of the body.
Aside from bilateral stimulation, this type of therapy will also integrate different techniques to help manage other OCD symptoms. For example, therapists may introduce relaxation techniques while working through the EMDR Process.
Is EMDR Therapy Effective for Treating OCD?
Yes, EMDR therapy can be effective for treating OCD, especially if the OCD stems from trauma. People who face trauma likely have a difficult time dealing with their symptoms and triggers. With EMDR, people with OCD have a unique approach that addresses underlying factors that may contribute to their symptoms.
However, it’s important to remember that EMDR will not necessarily stop intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors from happening. This therapy is just one of the many ways to reframe any fears and traumas that result in obsessions and compulsions. Through regular EMDR therapy sessions, it becomes easier to manage the obsessive thoughts that come with struggling with OCD.
In many cases, EMDR can be used as a complementary therapy. Other evidence-based treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), will be used to address other aspects of the disorder successfully.
What Is EMDR?
While EMDR is typically used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there are cases where it can also help with OCD symptoms. This psychotherapy works by using back-and-forth eye movement patterns or other forms of bilateral stimulation, such as tapping. These are essential in trying to address the trauma without having to “re-live” it in detail.
EMDR is highly recommended for those who deal with very traumatic experiences and events in their life. It helps a person heal from traumatic memories while reducing their emotional impact.
While the research on why EMDR works is a bit varied, several studies have shown its effectiveness. Many people who receive EMDR for PTSD report that their triggers don’t affect them as much anymore after treatment.
What Is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that’s characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are intrusive thoughts, while compulsions are repetitive behaviors. If you suffer from OCD, then you might constantly feel like there’s no escape from your obsessions and compulsions.
It can be difficult for people with OCD to continue living without giving in to the voices and thoughts at the back of their heads. These thoughts are almost always unwanted and can interfere with how someone faces their daily life.
Benefits of EMDR for OCD
There is a lot of research on the proven efficacy of EMDR for various conditions. Here are some of the many benefits of using EMDR as a treatment for OCD.
Reduces the Intensity of Traumatic Memories
When you have traumatic memories, they can slowly affect different areas of life. One way that struggling with traumatic memories manifests is through obsessions or compulsions. In some cases, these behaviors slowly become a full-blown disorder.
EMDR can help reduce the intensity of traumatic memories so that they don’t translate into obsessions and compulsions anymore. This reduced intensity makes it easier to go through everyday life without the nagging thoughts present in your head.
Addresses Underlying Symptoms
EMDR doesn’t just address surface-level symptoms related to OCD. It’s a therapy that provides healing from deeply rooted fears and past traumatic experiences.
One of the identifying symptoms of OCD is the constant avoidance of triggers. You may constantly find ways to avoid situations and objects that trigger obsessive thoughts. With EMDR, it’s easier to confront these triggers in a safe and controlled manner.
Offers a Safe Space to Process Trauma
Another main benefit of using EMDR to address OCD is that it offers a safe space to process trauma. People with traumatic memories may constantly avoid recalling their trauma, which makes it difficult to address and process them properly.
With the presence of a licensed therapist, EMDR is conducted in a safe and controlled environment to avoid any problems related to uncovering and processing trauma.
Helps with Co-Occurring Disorders
Since EMDR is used in different applications, it’s an excellent treatment for those struggling with co-occurring disorders. Conditions like depression, PTSD, and panic attacks may also be addressed through EMDR.
Through EMDR therapy, clients receive a single treatment that addresses multiple disorders at once. However, the use of EMDR for co-occurring disorders must be properly assessed by a professional. People may respond differently to EMDR depending on the severity and nature of their co-occurring disorders.
Other Uses of EMDR
As mentioned earlier, EMDR isn’t just used as OCD treatment. It’s a therapy that has different applications. The most common application of EMDR therapy is PTSD treatment.
With EMDR therapy, it becomes easier to face any traumas that result in PTSD. The principle of EMDR relies on how traumatic experiences can be “stuck” in the brain, and as a result, you vividly feel and recall them. The therapy uses bilateral stimulation to help you reprocess these memories and find relief from the emotional distress that comes with PTSD.
EMDR may also be used as a treatment for anxiety disorder. Those who struggle with anxiety because of past traumatic experiences may find that they feel like they are constantly experiencing overwhelming fear. Through EMDR, you can help your brain process the thoughts that worsen your anxiety. Over time, the symptoms of anxiety become more manageable.
Other Treatments for OCD
Aside from EMDR, here are some other treatment options for OCD:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is typically one of the first evidence-based used to treat OCD. During CBT, therapists will help clients identify any negative thought patterns and behaviors that may contribute to obsessions and compulsive behaviors.
Once identified, clients will learn how to manage these symptoms and develop healthy coping mechanisms. This helps you slowly feel more in control of your life so that OCD symptoms don’t dominate your life anymore.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
OCD treatment involves gradually exposing you to triggers. In ERP, a professional will slowly do this to reduce OCD symptoms. ERP is a type of CBT that helps you resist engaging in compulsive behaviors.
This type of therapy can feel a bit scary since it forces you to face your fears. For instance, if you’re scared of contamination, ERP will slowly expose you to manageable levels of that fear, such as touching a clean doorknob or ledge without immediately washing your hands.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation also serves as an effective treatment for OCD. Everyone who goes through treatment for their mental health disorders will work with their therapists to know how the condition affects their overall life.
Professionals can provide a holistic and unbiased view of the situation. It’s a way to help you realize that OCD isn’t your fault. Rather, there is a biological and psychological basis for why you feel that way.
Medications
Medications can be very helpful for those struggling with OCD. The most common medication used to manage the symptoms of OCD is Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
This treatment approach often complements therapies like CBT, ERP, and EMDR. You should never take these medications without a healthcare professional’s supervision. Professionals will monitor the efficacy of these medications and adjust your dosage as needed.
Are There Potential Risks of EMDR for OCD?
Many studies show the safety of EMDR for different conditions, including OCD. However, this doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with different risks.
Potential risks of EMDR for OCD treatment include:
- Heightened emotions during and outside of the therapy setting
- Vivid dreams
- Feeling tired after receiving EMDR
- Physical sensations like fatigue or tension
Because of these risks, it’s important to find a qualified therapist for EMDR. The therapy can result in unwanted side effects when not conducted properly. A qualified professional will have the proper knowledge and skills to perform EMDR for the best results.
How to Find an EMDR Therapist for OCD
Finding a therapist for OCD can involve some effort as well as trial and error. The best way to find an EMDR therapist is to gather some recommendations. These recommendations can come from your GP, loved ones, or even online research.
Once you have a list of recommendations, you can look through each suggestion and see whether their treatment approach aligns with what you’re looking for. You may even want to schedule a consultation with them to see whether they fit your situation better.
Get Help for OCD with Luxe Recovery
Living with OCD can be exhausting, but it’s a condition that need not define you. Help is available, and our team at Luxe Recovery is here to assist you in taking the first step to healing.
Through professional help, you can live a life where you can manage your triggers and face your fears with confidence. We use an empathetic approach during OCD treatment so that you never feel alone during the recovery journey.
Reach out to us by phone or email when you are ready. Our team is more than happy to answer any questions about overcoming your mental health struggles.
