Many of us check and re-check our doors, windows, and appliances to ensure safety if they are closed or turned off. However, some of us do it repeatedly to the extent that it consumes a lot of time and affects our daily functioning. Clinically, these people are suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Here at Luxe Recovery, we provide a comprehensive treatment program which involves various approaches, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, to help individuals with OCD manage their symptoms and achieve long-term recovery. Let’s take a look at how EMDR works for OCD.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy introduced by Francine Shapiro in the 1980s. The primary goal of EMDR is to help individuals process traumatic or distressing memories using bilateral movements that stimulate both brain hemispheres.
This mechanism of action does not remove those memories but changes the way they are stored in the brain so they can be less distressing, and the individual can integrate new positive beliefs.
EMDR is known for its structured approach through its eight phases that aim to systematically address the individual’s past distressing memories, present associated symptoms, and potential future difficulties.
One of the main strategies of EMDR to facilitate trauma processing is bilateral stimulation, such as therapist-guided eye movements, auditory tones, and tapping. In addition, EMDR therapists help individuals learn skills to manage temporary distress during and between sessions.
Can EMDR Help With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychological disorder where an individual experiences obsessions like unwanted and intrusive thoughts or images such as worrying about germs, accidentally causing harm to loved ones, or something bad might happen when the window blinds are pulled down.
These obsessions create an uncontrollable urge to perform compulsions to relieve fear and anxiety. They can take forms such as repeatedly washing hands, checking doors and windows, turning off appliances, or even counting and arranging objects.
People with OCD are often aware that their obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors are irrational, but they find themselves in high distress when trying to resist them. This leads to a cycle of obsession and compulsion that consumes a significant amount of time and disrupts day-to-day functioning.
Hence, several treatment options address how these vicious cycles can be disrupted and help individuals manage their symptoms better.
Although EMDR therapy was first introduced as a recommended treatment for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it has also been proven to be an effective treatment for OCD.
Research studies and clinical practice suggest that there appears to be a direct link between trauma and the development of OCD symptoms, with almost 70% of individuals who experienced a traumatic event later presenting symptoms of OCD.
How It Works: EMDR for OCD
Although trauma is not the exact cause of OCD condition, it can trigger the onset of OCD symptoms. Both OCD and trauma share some similarities in terms of symptoms, such as repeated intrusive thoughts and images that produce anxiety and avoidance.
In addition, traumatic memories can exacerbate symptoms of OCD. Hence, using EMDR can help target these memories to reduce distress and lower associated physiological arousal, faulty beliefs, and negative emotions. This can be done through the EMDR eight-phase approach:
Phase 1: History-Taking and Treatment Planning
The initial phase of EMDR begins with a discussion about the individual’s life experiences, past distressing memories, and present symptoms associated with OCD. These gathered details become the basis for assessing the individual’s readiness for EMDR therapy procedures and developing a treatment plan.
Phase 2: Preparation
During this phase, the therapist explains what EMDR is and how it works in treating OCD conditions. The individual also learns some coping skills or strategies to deal with temporary and potential distress that may be encountered during and between sessions.
Phase 3: Assessment
In the assessment phase, the therapist assists the individual in identifying specific images, thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations associated with OCD to be processed during the EMDR therapy sessions.
Phase 4: Desensitization
In this phase, the therapist begins the main strategy of EMDR – bilateral stimulation. During the procedure, the individual is asked to recall the distressing events that trigger OCD while simultaneously following bilateral movements such as left and right eye movements, tapping, and sounds. This allows the individual to reprocess distressing thoughts and create new images, beliefs, and feelings that are healthier than the previous ones.
Phase 5: Installation
Once the specific thought associated with obsession is processed, the therapist will ask the individual to replace the negative belief with a positive one.
Then, the bilateral stimulation is repeated to integrate and strengthen the new positive belief. The primary goal is to install and integrate these new beliefs into the individual’s self-concept and emotional responses.
Phase 6: Body Scan
This phase of treatment focuses on identifying any physical tension associated with distressing or intrusive thoughts. The therapist will ask the individual to hold on to those thoughts and newly constructed beliefs while scanning their body. If there are potential physical tensions or any discomforts that are being felt related to the specific thought, they will be processed during this phase.
Phase 7: Closure
During this stage, the therapist ensures that the individual is in a state of calmness before leaving the EMDR session. In cases where the distressing memories or obsessive thoughts are not completely processed, the therapist will help the individual to reprocess them in the subsequent sessions. When needed, an additional set of coping skills is introduced.
Phase 8: Re-evaluation:
Before the new session begins, the therapist evaluates the progress of the individual. The therapist may examine the remaining obsessions and compulsions. When needed, additional processing may be suggested by the therapist.
The Benefits of EMDR Therapy
EMDR is an effective approach to treating individuals with various mental health disorders. Some of the critical benefits of EMDR as a treatment for OCD include:
- It is an evidence-based treatment with empirical support
- It can be used as a lone treatment or adjunct therapy for various mental health conditions.
- Most individuals who undergo EMDR treatment notice improvements after attending several sessions.
- EMDR helps process OCD symptoms associated with traumatic memories
- It recognizes maladaptive behaviors that maintain distress.
- It teaches various coping skills to deal effectively with symptoms and daily stressors.
More Treatment for OCD
While treating OCD may be challenging, there are a wide range of treatment options available to help individuals break free from this extraordinary condition.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is an evidence-based approach with a high success rate in treating different mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and OCD. It focuses on the interaction between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
When applied to managing symptoms of OCD, CBT works by identifying persistent intrusive thought patterns (obsessions) and replacing them with more rational beliefs. CBT therapist believes that changes in ways of thinking result in changes in our feelings and behaviors (compulsion).
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy
Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) is a specific form of CBT and stands as a gold standard treatment for people with OCD.
It is often referred to as ‘CBT with ERP.’ It works by helping individuals identify unwanted and intrusive thoughts (obsessions), creating a hierarchy list of these thoughts from least to most anxiety-provoking, and gradually guiding the individual to confront them.
Overcome OCD with an EMDR Therapist at Luxe Recovery
Whether you are here to learn more about EMDR, explore treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, or discover ways how to recover from a mental health condition, Luxe Recovery is here to assist you and work with you in your mental health journey.
We understand how exhausting and overwhelming the symptoms of OCD can be, but know that treatment is available and recovery is possible. If you want to break free from the vicious cycle of obsession-compulsion, you can connect with us, and let’s start making a difference in your life.
