EMDR is an abbreviation for ‘Eye Movement Desensitization an Reprocessing’. This is therapy for people who have had to deal with a traumatic experience and continue to suffer from it. For example, you can think of sexual violence, an accident or another incident involving violence. This therapy was developed in 1989 by a psychologist Shapiro. In the years that followed, this procedure has been further developed into a fully-fledged and highly effective therapeutic method.
What is EMDR therapy intended for?
Certain events can occur in a person’s life that are so drastic that they are difficult or impossible to process. Most people handle the coping process well, but not everyone does. This results in psychological complaints. Nightmares and frightening images (flashbacks) of these shocking event(s) keep coming back and do not fade. You may also experience a form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is accompanied by fear and avoidance reactions. These are all complaints that arise from the many unpleasant memories and/or events, where thinking about them still brings out a certain emotional reaction.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR often works very quickly, which is why it is often seen as a very intensive therapy. The therapist will always explain exactly what he is going to do. In addition, he will also provide instructions on how the client can best control his emotions. The therapist will ask the client to recall the specific event in memory, with the associated images, thoughts and feelings. As much information as possible will be collected to obtain a perfect picture. The processing process will then be started. Once again you are asked to bring the event to the forefront of your mind, but this time this is done in combination with a distracting stimulus. For example, by making sounds in headphones go from left to right. Different sets of stimuli are used, after each set there is time for a moment of rest. The therapist will ask the client what comes to mind. EMDR sets all these thoughts and feelings in motion, which can cause changes in your mind and body. You will then be asked about your most noticeable change. This happens after every set.
What are the expected effects of EMDR?
The EMDR therapy will cause all those unpleasant memories to lose their strength and emotional charges. This makes it increasingly easier for the client to think back on such an event. In almost most cases, these images and memories become vaguer and smaller. Less pleasant things may also emerge after these types of sessions. You can then think of new thoughts and insights that give a different view of the situation, both positive and negative. Due to all these effects, the intense events will increasingly have a place in this person’s life.
The disadvantages of EMDR
The effects of such EMDR therapy may continue for a while, but that is a good sign. When new images and feelings have surfaced, you may feel for a moment that you have completely lost control. This generally does not last longer than three days, after which there is a new balance in your life, with which you can continue. EMDR works, that is clear, but how exactly it works is not yet completely clear. It is clear that your natural processing system is stimulated by EMDR.
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