IS EMDR Helpful to Treat PTSD?
Yes, EMDR (Eye Movement and Desensitization) is the most researched treatment for PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder). Significant decreases in many symptoms of PTSD have been found in as few as 3-4 sessions. Some of the symptoms of PTSD that people might experience after a trauma might be as follows:
- Emotional numbing
- Unwanted thoughts or images about a distressing event
- Exaggerated startle response
- Recurrent nightmares
- Loss of interest or participation in pleasurable activities
- Stress related to cues or triggers of the distressing event
- Flashbacks of the distressing event
- Hypervigilence or scanning of the environment
- Inability to recall parts of the distressing event
- Avoiding places, people, or activities related to the trauma
- Avoiding thoughts, feelings, and conversations about the trauma
- Sensing a foreshortened future
- Insomnia-hard to fall or stay asleep
- Feeling estranged from others
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restricted range of emotions
- Decreased pleasure
- Distancing from others
- Irritability or anger
- Dissociation
Since there is no homework with EMDR, the overall time is much shorter with this therapy. Research indicates that the benefit of this treatment continues over time and the issues that caused the initial trauma are neutralized and do not continue to cause problems once it is cleared through EMDR.
The effects of EMDR have been found to be superior to many other types of therapy for PTSD such as relaxation training, biofeedback, active listening, and 1:1 individual therapy. EMDR can be helpful even if the client does not wish to share the details of the trauma with the therapist. This has been especially helpful in working with the veterans. EMDR can soften the pain of past experiences and improve feelings of calmness and happiness.
How Does EMDR Work with PTSD?
In therapy, the initial cause of the trauma causing the PTSD symptoms is discussed if it is known as well as the symptoms that are bothering the person. Since EMDR is done using the unconscious mind, if the initial triggering event is not known, the unconscious mind is able to find this event regardless if the person is aware of the initial cause of the problem or not. The negative emotions and negative beliefs that the person might have developed as a result of the trauma are discussed along with the worst part of the trauma. The amount of emotional distress that the trauma has caused the person before EMDR is done is noted and EMDR is done until the level of distress is eliminated. This is done using bilateral brain stimulation with alternating beeps heard through headphones or alternating tactile stimulation using “buzzies” that the person holds in their hands. Visual stimulation can also be used either with an instrument or using the therapist’s index finger that moves back and forth. The person follows the lights or the therapist’s finger.
When a person experiences a threat, it causes the body to respond by being startled, fighting, fleeing or freezing. This can result in the incident not being processed properly in the brain and PTSD symptoms can result over time. In a few sessions of EMDR, an event that was once very intense and emotional can become a neutral story of the past. Once EMDR is done, the memory of the trauma remains, but it no longer causes the emotional symptoms connected with it.
What other issues can EMDR treat?
Other issues successfully treated with EMDR according to the research by Dr. Francine Shapiro who discovered EMDR in the 1950’s are: depression, phobias, panic disorders, dissociative disorders, body image issues, performance anxiety, pain disorder, attachment disorder, social phobia, anger control, generalized anxiety disorder, distress related to infertility, obsessive compulsive disorder, and marital distress to name a few.
Some of the traumas that I have used EMDR for include: car accidents, workplace accidents, war trauma, childhood trauma, work issues, depression, social anxiety, sexual abuse trauma, infertility, past bullying, grief and loss, relationship issues, infidelity, past failures, faulty negative beliefs such as “I need to be perfect”, previous suicidal thoughts or attempts, OCD issues, parental issues, etc.
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Although I’m trained in a variety of therapy techniques, one type of therapy that I find particularly beneficial for many of my clients is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR originated as a technique in the 1950s, and I became familiar with it while completing my training in this therapeutic method in the military base in CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick. I was involved with opening the Veterans Affairs Canada office in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and assisted many veterans with recovering from trauma experienced in war using EMDR. Although this method was originally intended as a technique for reprocessing war trauma, it is actually ideal for almost anyone who has experienced trauma.
Are you reaching your full potential or is something holding you back? Certain limiting situations seem to play out. What’s holding you back is a negative belief you have about yourself. Fortunately, there’s a therapy that assists in uncovering those negative beliefs and helps you move forward.
One question that I am frequently asked is where to go to receive free mental health services in Sault Ste. Marie. Although I would caution against choosing a psychological health professional or resource based solely on cost, I do recognize the need for affordable mental health care. If your need is urgent, you may want to consider a walk-in facility, or use one of the hotlines listed below. If you would like to discuss other holistic therapeutic approaches for less time sensitive issues, please get in touch.