Sometimes, we just can't forget certain things that have happened in our lives, that is, experiences that have been very painful to us, right? When those memories come back to us again and again, we can't even do our daily tasks properly due to the discomfort, fear, and anger we feel. If you are suffering from a similar situation, today we are going to talk about a special treatment method that can help. This is called EMDR therapy.
What exactly is EMDR?
Simply put, EMDR is a special treatment method used for mental health problems. The full name of this is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) . In Sinhala, it means "eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy". But since those words are a bit complicated, we will just call it EMDR.
This treatment involves moving your eyes in a specific pattern while thinking about your traumatic memories. The main goal of this is to help you heal from trauma or other painful experiences. Compared to other treatments, EMDR is a relatively new method. The first research on it was conducted in 1989. Clinical trials conducted since then have proven that this method is very effective and produces results faster than other methods.
Why is this treatment so important?
What's unique about EMDR therapy is that it doesn't require you to keep talking about the traumatic event in detail. Instead, it focuses on changing the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that have resulted from the traumatic experience.
To understand this, let's first talk a little about our brain and mind. Although we use these two words to mean the same thing, they are actually two different things. Your brain is an organ in your body. But your mind is the sum of your thoughts, memories, beliefs, and experiences that make you "you."
The way your mind works depends on the structure of your brain. This structure includes networks of brain cells in different parts of the brain. This network system is especially important in the parts associated with your memories and senses. It is because of these networks that our senses such as sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch can instantly awaken our old memories.
Simply put, a traumatic event is like an unhealed wound in our mind. EMDR therapy works to heal that wound and help the mind begin its natural healing process again.
How Memories Are Stored and "Triggers"
EMDR therapy is based on a model called Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) , which suggests that our brains store normal memories and traumatic memories in two ways.
In a normal event, the brain stores memories in an orderly manner and links them to other memories. But in a traumatic, distressing event, this linking doesn't happen properly. The brain goes "offline," as it were, and there is a disconnect between what you experience (what you see, hear, and feel) and what the brain stores as a memory.
These misstored memories are what cause problems later on. When we encounter a sight, sound, or smell related to the event (what we call "triggers" ), the misstored memory is immediately activated. This is not like a normal memory, but it can cause intense fear, anxiety, anger, or panic.
For example, take the "flashbacks" that a person with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) experiences. What happens is that the traumatic event feels like it's happening again. The past becomes the present. EMDR therapy works by "reprocessing" these memories and "healing" the psychological wound. When the event is remembered, it doesn't feel like it's really happening again, and the emotions associated with it are controlled.
What conditions does EMDR therapy help with?
Although EMDR therapy is most commonly used to treat PTSD, it can provide relief for a number of other mental illnesses.
| Disease category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Anxiety disorders | Generalized anxiety disorder, Panic disorder, Phobias (irrational fear), Social anxiety |
| Depression disorders | Major depressive disorder, long-term depression |
| Trauma disorders | Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Acute stress disorder |
| Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders | Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Body dysmorphic disorder |
| Eating disorders | Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa |
How the EMDR treatment process works
EMDR therapy consists of 8 main stages. These stages occur over several sessions. A single traumatic event may typically require 3 to 6 sessions. However, more complex or long-term traumas may require 8-12 sessions or more. Each session is about an hour or an hour and a half long.
What are the 8 stages?
1. Patient History and Information Collection: Here, your doctor or therapist will gather information about you and your past. This will help them decide if EMDR is right for you.
2. Preparation and education: You will be explained how the treatment will work, what is expected of you, and given tools to manage your emotions during the sessions.
3. Assessment: This involves identifying the specific memories and negative beliefs associated with them that you need to treat.
4. Desensitization and reprocessing: This is the most important part of the treatment. Here, you are asked to visualize the negative memory and move your eyes from side to side (or use another stimulus, such as sound or touch), under the guidance of the therapist.
5. Installation: This is where you try to install a positive belief in your mind instead of a negative belief.
6. Body scan: Pay attention to the sensations you feel in your body (e.g., tightness in your chest, stomach churning) when you think about the negative memory. As treatment is successful, these physical symptoms gradually decrease.
7. Closure and stabilization: At the end of each session, you are brought into a calm and safe state. Advice is given on how to deal with thoughts that may arise during the session.
8. Re-evaluation and ongoing care: We will review your overall progress and determine if more treatment sessions are needed, if necessary.
Advantages and disadvantages of EMDR therapy
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Very effective: This has been proven to be effective in numerous studies. | Limited use: This is only effective for psychological problems related to traumatic experiences. |
| Quick results: Results can be seen faster than other treatments. | Theoretical basis: How this works is still completely theoretical. |
| Less "homework": There is less diary writing like in other treatments. | Being a new method: Since this is a relatively new method, further research is needed on the long-term results. |
| Less stress: There is no need to relive painful events. |
What to do in an emergency?
If you are having thoughts of harming or killing yourself, or harming others, it is important to seek medical help immediately . You can:
- Go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) .
- Call 1926 , the national mental health helpline in Sri Lanka.
- Call the Sumithrayo Institute on 011 2692909 or 011 2682535 for advice.
Don't be afraid of even the slightest thought like this. The most important thing is to ask for help.
Take-Home Message
- EMDR is a highly effective and globally recognized treatment method for treating conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression caused by trauma.
- This treatment does not erase painful memories, but rather changes the way those memories are stored in the brain and teaches the mind to control the negative emotions associated with them.
- This provides faster results than other treatment methods, and a particular advantage is that there is no need to constantly talk about painful events.
- EMDR therapy should only be received from a trained and qualified doctor or therapist.
- If you are suffering from this type of stress, don't be ashamed or afraid to talk to your doctor and ask if EMDR therapy is right for you. Getting help is the first step to recovery.
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