It is estimated that almost 4% of the world population suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma can leave a significant mark on our brain, particularly impacting the amygdala-hippocampal complex, which plays a vital role in regulating emotions and forming memories. If you have PTSD, your amygdala becomes excessively active. This heightened activity can lead to increased alertness and anxiety, affecting day-to-day functioning.
Fortunately, several treatment options are available to help you manage your PTSD symptoms – one of them is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). It is a widely accepted treatment of PTSD by numerous healthcare professionals and organizations around the globe. Its effectiveness has been confirmed through various research studies and clinical experiences.
In this blog post, our experts from Luxe Recovery share with you how EMDR works for people with PTSD.
What Is Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (EMDR)?
Originally developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR is a therapeutic approach aimed at reducing the emotional distress linked to traumatic or disturbing memories. EMDR involves recalling a specific distressing event while following a visual stimulus that moves from side to side as guided by the therapist. This process of lateral eye movements is believed to help lessen the emotional intensity of the memory, allowing it to be explored and processed in a way that diminishes its ability to provoke anxiety or avoidance.
This method is particularly beneficial if you are dealing with PTSD, as it assists you in reprocessing traumatic experiences in a more manageable manner. By focusing on these memories while engaging in bilateral sensory activities, such as eye movements, EMDR promotes emotional healing and cognitive structuring.
Typically, a traumatic memory can be processed in several sessions. Unlike other trauma-focused therapies, EMDR does not require prolonged exposure to those memories, detailed descriptions of the trauma, or challenging negative beliefs like in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop in individuals who have gone through or witnessed a distressing event or series of events. These experiences can be perceived as emotionally or physically damaging, potentially threatening one’s life, and can have a profound impact on mental, physical, social, and spiritual health.
Those living with PTSD often struggle with intense and unsettling thoughts and emotions that linger long after the traumatic experience has passed. They might find themselves reliving the event through vivid flashbacks or distressing nightmares. Feelings of sadness, fear, or anger can be overwhelming, and they may feel disconnected from others. They might also avoid reminders of the trauma, and they can react strongly to seemingly harmless triggers.
EMDR As Treatment For PTSD
EMDR is a structured psychotherapy method consisting of eight phases designed to assist you in healing from trauma without requiring extensive discussions about the traumatic events.
The therapist will work with you to recognize both your internal strengths and external support systems, as well as the distressing experiences or trauma that contribute to your current symptoms. They will evaluate your readiness to confront your trauma and will proceed at a pace that feels comfortable for you. If you are uncertain about which events may have led to your PTSD symptoms, an EMDR therapist can assist you in uncovering the connections between your present symptoms and past experiences.
EMDR therapy facilitates the reprocessing of traumatic memories and allows them to be integrated in a way that diminishes their intense and vivid nature.
What To Expect In EMDR Sessions?
EMDR treatment typically involves a series of six to twelve sessions, although some people may find they need fewer sessions.
The therapy begins by gathering your detailed history and discussing the treatment process. The therapist helps you identify past experiences, which will be the focus of the subsequent sessions. Thereafter, you will be prompted to recall a distressing memory and visualize or feel the associated thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations.
Once the memory is brought to the forefront, the therapist evaluates the intensity of your negative feelings and thoughts associated with the event and any positive beliefs you wish to strengthen before proceeding with bilateral visual stimulation. It is important to note that you should be prepared for some emotional and physical discomfort as you revisit painful memories.
The session concludes when you reach a calm state, with guidance on coping with disturbing thoughts and feelings in between sessions. Each subsequent session begins with a review of any new memories that may have surfaced since the previous treatment.
Phases Of EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy follows an eight-phase process that involves gathering the client’s history, preparing them for the session, identifying the specific memory to work on, processing that memory to achieve a healthier resolution, and evaluating the treatment outcomes.
History Taking
In the initial phase, the therapist engages in a conversation with you about what brings you to the therapy and discusses how EMDR can be tailored to your specific needs. Together, you will work on building a trusting therapeutic relationship.
In addition, the therapist reviews your background, helps you identify the traumatic experiences to be addressed, and collaborates in creating a personalized treatment plan.
Preparation
During the preparation phase, the therapist clarifies the EMDR therapy process, including key terms and what you can expect. This is an opportunity for you to voice any concerns or questions. Together, you will work on developing specific strategies to manage any emotional challenges that may arise during the therapy.
Assessment
The therapist will assist you in exploring the target traumatic memories. This process will involve utilizing various scales to assess the emotional and cognitive aspects associated with the memory, both before and throughout the therapy session. You will be encouraged to pinpoint a visual representation, along with any negative thoughts or beliefs and the emotions and physical sensations tied to the target memory.
Furthermore, you will work on formulating a positive belief that you wish to associate with the memory to replace the negative one.
Desensitization
In this stage, you will concentrate on the memories while participating in eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation (BLS). This cycle continues until you feel the memory has lost its distressing impact.
Installation
After you have addressed and alleviated your distress related to past trauma, you will collaborate with your therapist to strengthen your positive beliefs. During this phase, bilateral stimulation (BLS) will continue as you concentrate on the memory and the newly established positive belief.
Body Scan
Once you have fully integrated the new positive belief, take a moment to check in with your body for any signs of physical discomfort or tension. It’s important to recognize that even if you have processed trauma and embraced a positive belief, you can only move forward once any lingering physical reactions have been addressed.
Closure
This stage occurs when the sessions are about to end. If the memory you are focusing on has not been completely addressed, the therapist implements certain strategies to ensure control and safety until the next session.
Reevaluation
The upcoming session will begin with phase eight, which focuses on re-evaluation. During this time, the therapist will assess your current mental state, determine if the benefits of treatment have been sustained, explore any new memories that may have surfaced since the previous session, and collaborate with you to pinpoint specific goals for the current session.
Main Goals Of EMDR
People who undergo EMDR therapy will be able to benefit from the following primary goals of the treatment:
Educate About Trauma And PTSD
EMDR aims to provide information about PTSD or trauma and the typical physical and emotional responses you may have to trauma. The therapist will discuss your symptoms, outline what you can anticipate during EMDR sessions, and explore the treatment goals.
Learn New Coping Skills
You will be introduced to various coping strategies to help manage distress, including techniques for observing your feelings and allowing the recovery process to unfold. You can anticipate that you will practice calming exercises as necessary and keep track of new thoughts and insights to share with your therapist.
Process Target Memory
During the session, you will concentrate on the target trauma memories while simultaneously engaging with a rhythmic movement, sensation, or sound, such as the therapist’s finger moving back and forth or alternating taps or tones. This engagement typically lasts about 30 seconds, after which you will share any changes you notice. The process continues as your feelings of distress reduce, leading to new insights, connections, and positive emotions.
Install A Positive Belief
At the end of the processing, you will focus on a positive belief while holding the memory and being mindful of the movements, taps, or tones again. You will share with your therapist when this new belief feels true without experiencing any physical discomfort associated with the memory.
Finally, the therapist evaluates PTSD symptoms to determine if you need further processing of additional target traumatic memories.
Effectiveness Of EMDR
EMDR is an effective treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and other trauma-related conditions, as supported by substantial scientific research. Several studies showed that EMDR can produce faster and more noticeable improvements in PTSD symptoms, which often surpass traditional therapies.
Furthermore, EMDR has been widely recognized for its effectiveness in clinical practice across the globe by various international institutions, including the World Health Organization (WHO).
Beyond PTSD: Who Can Benefit From EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is known for its effectiveness in addressing PTSD, but its benefits reach far beyond this particular condition. Data from research and clinical practice showed that EMDR therapy is likewise beneficial in treating people with anxiety and related disorders, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dissociative disorders, and certain personality disorders.
How Many EMDR Sessions Do I Need To Get Better?
EMDR, like many other forms of psychotherapy, is designed to yield results within a few sessions. However, the number of sessions needed can vary based on the specific problems to be addressed, the intensity of trauma experienced, and other life circumstances.
Generally, the duration of EMDR therapy can differ significantly from person to person. While some people may notice positive changes after just a few sessions, others may require a more extended treatment to achieve their goals.
Is EMDR Treatment Right For You?
EMDR was created as a therapy for individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but its applications have expanded to address a variety of other mental health issues. Therapists now utilize it to help a wide range of mental health conditions.
For you to be suitable for EMDR therapy, you need to manage some emotional discomfort without becoming easily emotionally overwhelmed. It is also important for you to access your cognitive and emotional strengths to reprocess memories effectively.
Transform Your Healing Journey Using EMDR
PTSD can be a challenging condition, but it is also responding positively to treatment. If you are here because you or someone close to you is struggling with PTSD, please remember that you don’t have to endure this alone.
At Luxe Recovery, we recognize the struggles that come with trauma, and our certified EMDR therapists are dedicated to guiding you through the healing process and helping you regain control over your mental wellness.
You deserve a life free from the impact of trauma.
