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treatment of trauma related disorders/Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD).......
Eye movement desensitization
and reprocessing (EMDR) is a scientifically validated form of therapy that was developed to resolve symptoms resulting
from disturbing and unresolved life experiences. It uses a structured approach to address past, present, and future aspects
of disturbing memories. The approach was developed by Francine Shapiro to resolve the development of trauma-related
disorders as resulting from exposure to a traumatic or distressing event, such as rape or military combat. Clinical
trials have been conducted to assess EMDR's efficacy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research studies within the last two decades have
been shown to be equivalent to or better than cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapies.
Since many conditions can be seen
as resulting from both minor and severe emotional or physical traumatic experiences, EMDR is now being successfully
used to treat many different conditions.
Theoretical basis
EMDR is established
as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD. Although a number of different processes underlie
EMDR, the eye movements add to the therapy's effectiveness by evoking neurological and physiological changes that may aid in the processing of the trauma memories
being treated.
Eye
movements (or other sensory stimulation if sight is not available e.g. tones, or tapping) add the unique element
of bilateral stimulation. When a traumatic or distressing experience occurs, it may overwhelm usual ways of coping and the memory
of the event is inadequately processed; the memory is dysfunctionally stored in an isolated memory network. When this memory network is activated, the individual may
re-experience aspects of the original event, often resulting in inappropriate overreactions. This explains why people who
have experienced or witnessed a traumatic incident may have recurring sensory flashbacks, thoughts, beliefs, or dreams. An unprocessed memory of a
traumatic event can retain high levels of sensory and emotional intensity, even though many years may have passed.
EMDR works directly with memory networks and enhances information
processing by forging associations between the distressing memory and more adaptive information contained in other semantic memory networks. It is thought that the distressing memory is transformed
when new connections are forged with more positive and realistic information. This results in a transformation of the emotional,
sensory, and cognitive components of the memory so that, when it is accessed, the individual is no longer distressed. Instead
he/she recalls the incident with a new perspective, new insight, resolution of the cognitive distortions, elimination of emotional
distress, and relief of related physiological arousal.
When the distressing or traumatic event is an isolated, single incident, approximately three sessions
are necessary for comprehensive treatment. When multiple traumatic events contribute to a health problem—such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, parental neglect, severe illness, accident, injury, or health-related trauma that result in chronic impairment
to health and well-being, or combat trauma, the time to heal may be longer, and complex,
multiple trauma may require many more sessions for the treatment to be complete and robust.
Accessible
psychology can offer EMDR for suitable clients. Please call or email us to find out if this the may be the right treatment for you.
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