At some point in life, everyone experiences a traumatic event. Trauma can come in many forms, such as abuse, violence, loss of a loved one, natural disasters, and accidents. The effects of trauma can be long-lasting and affect all aspects of one's life. Fortunately, there are various methods of treating trauma, and one such method is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to EMDR and how it can be used to treat trauma.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that was developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. The therapy involves bilateral stimulation, which can be achieved through eye movements, sounds, or physical sensations. The therapist leads the patient through a series of eye movements while having them focus on the traumatic event.
During EMDR, the therapist helps the patient to reprocess the traumatic event by creating new associations with the event. This is done by helping the patient to focus on the traumatic event while engaging in bilateral stimulation. The therapist may also ask the patient to think about positive events or emotions while continuing the bilateral stimulation.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR is thought to work by accessing and reprocessing memories that are stored in the brain in a dysfunctional way. Traumatic events are often stored in the brain in an isolated and unprocessed manner, which can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
During EMDR, the bilateral stimulation is thought to help the brain to integrate the traumatic memory into a more adaptive and less distressing form. This can help the patient to experience relief from symptoms and gain a better understanding of the traumatic event.