What is EMDR and How Can It Treat Trauma?
Published on October 7, 2024
More than half of the people in the world will experience at least one traumatic event in their lives. What constitutes trauma can differ from person to person. There are common causes — abuse, loss of a loved one, neglect, injuries, and natural disasters, to name a few. However, the reasons may vary widely, and the outcomes remain serious in every case.
Trauma is very hard to process and resolve. However, when it’s not properly addressed, it can leave a person struggling with a condition like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). With issues like PTSD so widespread, it’s not surprising that many treatment approaches exist. An excellent option is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Trauma
While everyone experiences trauma differently, there are several red flags to watch for. These include:
Intrusive thoughts, including flashbacks, nightmares, and hallucinations
Unexplained physical problems
Hyper-vigilance
Avoidance, withdrawal, and self-isolation
Emotional numbness and dissociation
An unwillingness to trust others
Overwhelming feelings of shame, guilt, despair, and hopelessness
Self-medication, e.g., substance abuse and other self-destructive choices
Thoughts of self-harm and suicide
So, how can EMDR help with all of this?
What is EMDR?
Unlike traditional therapy, EMDR takes place over relatively few sessions and involves a blend of hand, finger, and eye movements. Here is a basic description of the procedures:
After a detailed history is taken, the client is asked to identify a particular negative memory or belief and intensely focus on it as the therapist begins work.
An EMDR therapist will move their hands and fingers within the patient’s field of vision. The client must follow these movements with their eyes without moving their head.
This induces a state in which you can access a traumatic memory without being triggered. Such a state facilitates the processing of a suppressed image or sensation.
Simultaneously, the client will choose a positive image or thought to embed in place of the memory they are resolving.
While these concepts might seem unusual, EMDR has been found to have an astoundingly successful impact. Let’s take a closer look.
The Benefits of EMDR For Trauma
Quite often, when conjuring up images of trauma, we think of soldiers returning from the front lines. Well, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recommends EMDR for the significant reduction of PTSD symptoms. In addition, consider these three related factors:
Side Effects = Rare and Minor
Folks with PTSD may prefer to avoid medication due to potential side effects. EMDR, on the other hand, rarely presents any such obstacle. Most commonly, a person experiences lightheadedness or vivid dreams upon starting treatment, but they fade. Another possibility is a sudden increase in the number of memories you can access. This is less of a side effect and more of an outcome. As memories are processed, you’ll find a state of equilibrium.
EMDR is Easy to Stick With
As mentioned above, the protocol is relatively brief — sometimes as few as eight sessions. Therefore, it’s easier to stay focused and committed to EMDR because it’s shorter, and the results come more quickly.
Sustainable Benefits
Studies show that results garnered via EMDR tend to be long-term. This is unlike medication, for example, which often requires ongoing usage.
Healing Trauma With EMDR
Trauma is not something you’d want to do alone. Thanks to EMDR, you have an effective option that can bring about recovery without medicine or even a long-term commitment. If all of this sounds too good to be true, I invite you to reach out and learn more about trauma therapy. Let’s schedule you for a free and confidential consultation very soon.