Trauma is common, perhaps more common than anyone imagines. Nearly seven in 10 children experience at least one traumatic event by age 16. As for adults, the numbers are almost as high. Fifty percent of women and 60 percent of men endure at least one trauma ever their adult lifetime. These are life shattering events. With statistics like this staring us in the face, it’s no surprise that so many trauma treatments have emerged.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (or EMDR) has been rapidly gaining traction as both quick and effective when it comes to addressing trauma. Let’s take a closer look at why EMDR works so well.
What is Trauma?
All of us face events that are potentially traumatizing. They may include:
Loss of a loved one
Abuse of any kind (emotional, sexual, physical, etc.)
Neglect and abandonment
Sex trafficking and prostitution
Natural disasters
Injury, illness, and disability
Being victimized by a crime or terrorist act
These and other experiences can negatively impact you for years or even decades. If there has been a lifetime of trauma it can become Complex PTSD (CPTSD)
What is EMDR?
EMDR is an unusual approach. A specially trained therapist uses hand movements to direct how your eyes move. It allows both sides of the brain to connect in ways they hadn’t before, much like Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep when we dream.
The client is asked to focus on a particularly challenging memory as the therapist continues the hand movements. In addition, during the EMDR sessions, the client finds more positive thoughts and sensations that are appropriate when recalling that memory. It can take many sessions to get to that point, especially if there has been years of traumas and abuse.
To sum up, the client essentially relives the experience but in a more tolerable form. Countless studies find that this combination allows individuals to finally process and resolve trauma in a healthy way.
Some Benefits of EMDR
Breaking past mental blocks
Processing negative emotions (and the related bodily sensations)
Developing new coping mechanisms
Adding resilience to handle future situations
How Effective is EMDR For Trauma?
Since trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are commonly related to soldiers, much testing has been done within that realm. The results have been nothing short of spectacular. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs highly touts EMDR for war-related PTSD. Other groups and organizations that recommend EMDR include:
American Psychological Association
American Psychiatric Association
S. Department of Defense
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
The World Health Organization
Studies and Research
More than 30 randomized controlled trials of EMDR demonstrate its efficacy for trauma and PTSD. Results include nine out of 10 trauma survivors reporting zero PTSD symptoms after as little as six EMDR sessions.
Also, other research shows Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing to be equally as effective for a wide range of other mental health conditions, e.g. anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, hallucinations, and delusions.
Perhaps best of all is the sustainability of the benefits gained via EMDR. Follow-ups done one year after completing treatment reported that clients who choose EMDR were far less likely to struggle with relapse or any related issues.
How to Learn More and Getting Started on the Road to Recovery
If you are one of the millions who have experienced trauma and feel stuck in its cycle, EMDR could be a life-altering move. Even so, I can imagine you have questions — lots of questions — about this strange approach. Well, I’m here to provide you with answers.
Let’s connect soon for a free and confidential consultation. We’ll talk more about trauma, EMDR, and the specifics of your situation. Everyone deserves to live free of such pain so they can strive for a better life. I would love to help guide you along that path If you’re interested in learning more about Trauma and PTSD Treatment, please click here.