Sometimes, an old memory in our minds comes after us like a ghost, doesn't it? A small sound, a smell, or something we see suddenly triggers our mind, and it feels like that old painful event is happening before our eyes again. Today, we are going to talk about a somewhat new, but very effective treatment method that helps us recover from such painful experiences. This is called EMDR therapy.
What is EMDR? Simply put...
The full meaning of EMDR is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing . In Sinhala, it is like desensitizing painful memories in the mind through eye movements and reprocessing them correctly. Very simple, right? This is a special method of treating mental health.
In this method, you move your eyes in a specific pattern while thinking about those old memories that are bothering you. The main goal of this is to heal you from a trauma or other painful life experience. Compared to other treatment methods, EMDR is a relatively new method. The first research on this was done in 1989. However, numerous studies conducted since then have proven that this method is very effective and that it can achieve results faster than other methods.
Who does this treatment help the most?
EMDR therapy can help people with a wide range of mental health issues. It can be used by anyone, especially young children, adults, and anyone of any age. Some therapists are specially trained to use this therapy on young children.
Why is this treatment so special?
One of the biggest advantages of this is that you don't have to talk about the traumatic event in detail. For some people, talking about the event over and over again can be a very painful experience.
EMDR therapy focuses on changing the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that are caused by the traumatic experience. This allows your brain to begin its natural healing process again.
Think about it, when we get a wound on our hand, we let it heal. But if something gets stuck inside that wound, it doesn't heal properly, it festers. Trauma is the same. That memory is stuck in the brain, not processed properly. What EMDR does is release that stuck memory and help the brain process it properly.
Although we use the words "brain" and "mind" to mean the same thing, they are actually different. The brain is an organ in our body. But the mind is what we make of our thoughts, memories, beliefs, and experiences. The way our minds work depends on the structure of our brain. These brain cells are connected to each other and function like a network. That's why old memories suddenly come to mind along with things we see, hear, feel, and smell.
How does EMDR work? What happens inside the brain...
EMDR therapy is based on a model called Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) , which explains how our brain stores memories. According to this theory, our brain stores normal memories and traumatic memories in two ways.
In a normal event, the brain stores that memory in an orderly manner and links it to other memories, much like stacking books in a library.
But when we experience a traumatic or deeply distressing event, the brain goes "offline." The connection between what we experience (what we see, hear, and feel) and the memory that the brain stores through language is lost. That memory becomes stuck in one place in the brain, disorganized, and unable to heal.
This is like a psychological wound . Because the wound hasn't had a chance to heal, the brain hasn't received the message that "the accident is over." Therefore, as soon as something even remotely similar to the event (e.g. a sound, a smell) comes along, that memory is "triggered." Then the old fear, anger, and anxiety start to come back to haunt us. It's as if the event is happening all over again. The flashbacks we see in PTSD are a good example of this.
EMDR therapy involves accessing that trapped, painful memory in a special way. With eye movements, the brain is helped to reprocess that memory. Then, the memory is stored in the brain in an orderly, correct manner.
After treatment, you will remember the event. But the feeling of reliving it, the unbearable pain that comes with it, will disappear. The memory will no longer control your life.
What mental conditions are treated with EMDR?
Although EMDR therapy is most commonly used for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) , it is also used successfully for many other mental health conditions.
- Anxiety Disorders: For example, general anxiety, phobias, and social anxiety.
- Depression Disorders: Major depressive disorder, as well as long-term depression.
- Eating Disorders: Conditions such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders: Conditions such as OCD.
- Personality Disorders: For example, Borderline Personality Disorder.
- Dissociative Disorders: Conditions such as forgetting who you are and where you are.
8 steps of EMDR therapy
EMDR therapy typically consists of eight steps. Not all of these steps take place on the same day. These steps are completed over several sessions. A single painful memory usually takes about 3-6 sessions. However, more complex, long-term traumas may require 8-12 sessions or more. Each session usually lasts about an hour or an hour and a half. Let's take a look at what these 8 steps are.
| Steps | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Step 1: Know your details and history | Your therapist will gather information about you, your past, and the events that are troubling you. This will help determine if EMDR is right for you. |
| Step 2: Preparation and awareness | They will explain to you what will happen during the treatment and will also teach you ways to help you control your emotions and stay calm. |
| Step 3: Assessing the goal | Identify the specific memory that needs to be treated and the negative beliefs associated with it (e.g., "It's my fault"). Identify something positive that you would like to believe instead (e.g., "I am safe now"). |
| Step 4: Reduce sensitivity and reset | This is where you are asked to recall the painful memory while moving your eyes. During this time, you talk to the doctor about the feelings you are having and the new thoughts that come to mind. |
| Step 5: Establishing positive confidence | When a painful memory is processed, it helps to establish a previously identified positive belief in the mind. |
| Step 6: Body Scan | When thinking about that memory, I check to see if the discomfort I feel in my body (e.g., stomach ache, chest pain) has gone away. |
| Step 7: Finishing and Stabilizing | Before the session ends, you will be brought into a calm and safe state. You will be instructed on what to do if you feel any discomfort between sessions. |
| Step 8: Re-evaluate | We review the progress made in previous sessions and decide whether further treatment is needed or if goals need to be changed. |
What are the advantages and disadvantages of EMDR therapy?
Like any treatment method, EMDR has its advantages and disadvantages.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Successful: This method has been proven to be successful in numerous studies. | Limited: Most of the time, this only works for psychological problems related to traumatic experiences. |
| Quick results: You start to feel relief faster than with other treatments. | Theoretical: It's still not 100% scientifically possible to explain why this works. But it has been proven to work. |
| Less "homework": There is less of this type of therapy, such as journaling and exercises. | A new method: Because this is new compared to other treatments, further research is needed on the long-term results. |
| Less stress: There is less stress because you don't have to relive the painful event in detail. |
What to do in an emergency?
This is very important. If you feel like harming yourself or having suicidal thoughts during EMDR therapy or at any other time, please do these things.
Never be alone. Immediately tell someone you trust (a family member, a friend) what's on your mind.
- Go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) as soon as possible. The doctors and staff there are trained to help you.
- Inform your treating doctor immediately.
- You can also call the telephone services established for mental health support in Sri Lanka.
Take-Home Message
- EMDR is a very safe and effective treatment for treating psychological problems caused by trauma and painful memories.
- This can achieve results faster than many other treatment methods.
- In this therapy, you don't have to talk about the traumatic event in detail, which makes it less stressful.
- This helps not only with PTSD, but also with many other conditions such as anxiety and depression.
- The most important thing is to always seek this treatment from a qualified, trained professional. You can ask your doctor about this and ask him to refer you to someone suitable.
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