Even though EMDR has been around for decades, in recent years, it has become an increasingly popular option for therapy. While EMDR was originally created to help treat those dealing with PTSD, it is now being used to treat other mental health conditions. Not only is it useful for PTSD or trauma, but it's effective at helping ease anxiety and depression.
EMDR is growing in popularity, but it is often a therapeutic approach that is shrouded in mystery. Therapy, in general, can feel like this to many people. When you add in an approach called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), well, it can feel like a complicated puzzle!
The focus of our post today will be on how EMDR works in the brain.
How Does EMDR Work?
First, we'll start with the very basics of EMDR. EMDR is founded on scientific evidence and research. At one point, it was discovered that when we sleep, our eyes move rapidly back and forth as we dream. During this stage of sleep, known as REM, we process memories and events from the past.
It's not uncommon for traumatic experiences to not be fully processed. During these experiences, your brain does its best to protect you by blocking out certain sights, sounds, textures, or smells. This may be useful in the short term, but this doesn't mean the memory is gone. Instead, the entire memory of the event is stored in your brain, out of your reach. You can almost imagine it as a storage box with a key combination lock box. The memory is there, but you don't know the combination number to unlock it.
The EMDR Process
Based on the REM sleep state, it was hypothesized that traumatic experiences could be processed fully when these eye movements are mimicked in therapy.
In EMDR, bilateral stimulation, or eye movements, activate your brain's right and left hemispheres. If we go back to the idea of a storage box storing your memory, envision this box being placed right in the middle of point A (the right hemisphere) and point B (the left hemisphere.) The box is just out of reach of both hemispheres.
Working with a therapist as your guide, they will ask you to focus on the memory you wish to reprocess. While you reflect on the memory, they will use specific guided eye movements with their hands. These eye movements will help you process the traumatic memory in new ways. Essentially, it will help you learn the combination of that lockbox.
New Pathways Are Formed
Many people believe that the brain cannot be changed after it stops growing in size. While it may not grow physically, the brain can always be rewired. When accessing previously locked memories, you are helping the different areas of your brain strengthen and repair the broken pathways connected to that storage box.
It Activates Key Areas of the Brain
One positive impact of EMDR is that it helps you regulate your emotions and control your impulses. By activating key areas, such as your prefrontal cortex, the symptoms you are experiencing will be alleviated. Strengthening your impulse control and judgment of situations will help you not feel as triggered by certain sensations.
You Avoid Feeling Triggered
One common fear that many people have is that EMDR will trigger their symptoms. While negative feelings may surface, you will be in a safe space that allows you to process these feelings healthily. Additionally, EMDR does not require you to verbally recall every detail of the traumatic experience. While communication is essential in EMDR therapy, you are not required to go into extensive detail if you aren't comfortable with it.
If you are still curious about EMDR therapy, explore my website and contact me. Together, we can find the best approach to help you find relief.
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