Question 1

What is EMDR and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy frequently used with trauma clients. It uses Rapid Eye Movement to simulate REM sleep and help the patient overcome distress that may have been caused by traumas such as domestic violence, crime, sexual abuse, or combat.

The body uses REM sleep to process emotions that it experiences every day. However, when it experiences trauma, this function is impaired, and the patient does not get relief from distress through REM sleep. The artificial stimulation seeks to achieve this objective.

The human mind processes disturbing experiences naturally. However, when a person experiences extreme trauma or is frequently exposed to distressing situations, the natural healing process gets overloaded and fails to process some of the experiences. The unprocessed memories are stored in the brain as raw experiences that keep on recurring as if the original event is happening afresh. EMDR therapy seeks to correct this situation by unlocking negative emotions and memories that are entrenched in the nervous system. The brain then processes this experience making it part of the past rather than a recurring event.

Question 2

How is EMDR performed?

Accepted Answer

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is performed by a trained therapist. It involves the therapist gently stimulating the client, helping them to revisit a traumatic event. Once the memory comes to mind, the client experiences the event in a new way.

EMDR helps the client gain perspective and self-knowledge to control their response to the trauma instead of feeling powerless. The process can take several sessions if the client has experienced several traumatic events.

The client will undergo EMDR sessions until all the traumatic events are relieved. During the session, the client may be asked to focus on the three aspects of the visual image of the trauma, the negative thoughts that resulted from the trauma, and the part of the body that is most affected by the trauma.

The patient experiences a gradual decrease in the arousal associated with the trauma with every session. This process continues until all the symptoms are relieved.

Question 3

How do I prepare for an EMDR session?

Accepted Answer

To prepare for an EMDR session, you need to be both relaxed and open to experience emotions and sensations that accompany the recall of a traumatic event and associated thoughts. On the day of the EMDR session, engage in a relaxing activity such as a walk in the park, yoga, or practicing breathing exercises.

Make sure you are ready to relieve some of the most intense and traumatic events in your life because this is what you will have to practice during the session. You can also ask your therapist what you can expect so that you can be relaxed before the session.

Question 4

Does EMDR work for anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Yes, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is known to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. In fact, a review of studies on the efficacy of EMDR found that it is effective against several mental illnesses, including anxiety disorders.

EMDR works by guiding eye movements while imagining traumatic situations and shifting thoughts toward more positive images, causing anxiety to dissipate.

What is EMDR and how does it work?

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