Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) has been gaining recognition as a way to help overcome trauma and PTSD. Because of its effectiveness in helping overcome these conditions, many are also exploring its uses for anxiety.
Does EMDR Help Treat Anxiety?
Yes, EMDR therapy can be very useful for people struggling with anxiety. There are many cases wherein a person’s anxiety is linked to past experiences or trauma. EMDR helps process these negative memories so that they don’t feel as emotionally intense anymore.
While EMDR isn’t mainly used to treat anxiety, several benefits come with it. Since this type of therapy helps reduce the distress that comes with a traumatic experience, it can also help reduce the body’s automatic anxiety responses.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR is a form of psychotherapy where bilateral stimulation is used to process memories. It uses the brain’s natural ability to process memories to make traumatic experiences less painful. This therapy helps people process and heal from distressing life experiences without having to talk about the said experiences.
EMDR is based on the fact that certain traumatic memories can be “stuck” in the brain. When these aren’t processed properly, it can cause serious emotional distress. With the help of EMDR, therapists and patients can work together to help rewire the brain and reduce the burden of these past experiences.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
During an EMDR session, a therapist will use bilateral stimulation to help reprocess traumatic events and memories less painfully. For many, this becomes a more well-tolerated way to address trauma since it doesn’t require you to recall the incident verbally as if you’re reliving the memory all over again.
There are three main types of bilateral stimulation used during the therapy. The first type of stimulation is guided eye movements. During the session, the therapist will ask you to follow their fingers or a light bar with your eyes as they move back and forth.
The second type of bilateral stimulation used during EMDR is tactile stimulation. Here, your therapist will use handheld buzzers that alternate vibrations between your left and right hands. The gentle tapping motion can be ideal if you feel as if the eye movements are too distracting.
Lastly, EMDR therapists can also use auditory stimulation, where sounds alternate between your left and right ears through headphones. While focusing on these body sensations, you will slowly work through your negative memories and encourage the brain to process traumatic memories while keeping yourself present and aware.
What Are the Phases of EMDR Therapy?
EMDR works by following an eight-phase structured approach that guides patients to healing. This method helps gradually reduce the emotional intensity of painful experiences so that you can find lasting relief.
Here are the eight phases of EMDR therapy:
- History-Taking & Treatment Planning: Your therapist will gather information on your history, symptoms, and specific experiences contributing to your distress.
- Preparation: This is when you’ll learn coping techniques, such as relaxation exercises and grounding techniques, to manage emotional distress.
- Assessment: Here, you’ll focus on a specific negative memory and explore its negative beliefs.
- Desensitisation: This phase is where bilateral stimulation happens, and your therapist will guide you through reprocessing the memory.
- Installation: During installation, you’ll focus on strengthening a positive belief to solidify positive self-perceptions.
- Body Scan: The therapist will guide you through a body scan to check for any remaining tension or discomfort related to the memory.
- Closure: This is when you slowly return to a calm, grounded state before leaving the session.
- Reevaluation: This happens in the follow-up sessions, wherein your therapist will check in to see how you were feeling from the last session.
EMDR Treatment Benefits for Anxiety
EMDR has a variety of benefits when used for anxiety. Many people experience significant improvements in their well-being after undergoing a series of EMDR sessions for this specific condition.
Reduces Anxiety Symptoms
One of the first benefits of using EMDR for anxiety is that it helps reduce the intensity of anxious thoughts and other physical symptoms related to anxiety. Since it’s a treatment that directly targets the memories or experiences contributing to these symptoms, it helps retrain the brain to respond differently.
Addresses the Root Cause
Others may experience anxiety because it’s linked to past events. These experiences can result in deep-seated negative beliefs that can trigger anxiety responses. With EMDR, you can address where your anxiety started in a controlled and structured way.
No Reliance on Medication
EMDR is a drug-free approach to treating anxiety. While medications can be effective for anxiety, some people may experience negative side effects from them. With EMDR, you can reprocess memories and change how they are stored without needing external substances.
Helps Change Negative Thought Patterns
Another benefit of EMDR for anxiety is that it helps change negative thought patterns that lead to anxious thoughts. A traumatic experience can internalise thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “Something bad is going to happen.” EMDR can help replace these beliefs with more positive and adaptive thoughts for a more confident mindset.
Is EMDR an Effective Treatment?
EMDR therapy is an effective treatment for those who struggle with traumatic memories that may lead to anxiety. Many studies have shown the effectiveness of EMDR for trauma-related disorders.
Major health organisations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Australian Psychological Society, support EMDR as a valid therapeutic approach for PTSD and other related conditions.
What Is Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety disorder is when someone feels persistent and overwhelming anxiety that interferes with daily life. While occasional fear is normal, this disorder involves excessive worry that has a serious negative impact on a person’s well-being. Common types include generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
Some of the symptoms of this anxiety may include:
- Persistent worry and nervousness
- Feeling out of control
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling irritable or restless
- Tense muscles
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Increased heart rate or palpitations
- Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
- Engaging in compulsive behaviours
EMDR for Other Mental Health Disorders
Aside from anxiety, EMDR can also be used to address different mental health disorders. Here’s a quick look at how this therapy can be used as a tool to improve your overall well-being.
EMDR for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
EMDR therapy was mainly developed to help with the symptoms of PTSD. Using this type of therapy can help reduce the flashbacks and intrusive thoughts associated with this disorder. It also helps regulate the emotional distress that makes daily life more difficult for those with PTSD.
EMDR for Depression
Depression can also be linked to past trauma and grief, and EMDR helps process the unresolved emotional pain that may contribute to depression. It addresses the underlying emotional wounds so that you can feel more in control and less trapped by depressive thoughts.
EMDR for ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects a person’s focus and impulse control. Through EMDR, those with ADHD can improve emotional regulation and reduce impulsive reactions. It’s an approach that can be combined with ADHD coaching and other psychotherapies for better results.
EMDR for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
For some people, OCD can stem from traumatic events. They have intrusive, unwanted thoughts that can make it difficult to go about their day normally. If OCD symptoms are trauma-related, EMDR can be very beneficial. This approach helps reduce obsessive thoughts and compulsions for better overall well-being.
Heal from Anxiety with Orchid
Struggling with anxiety isn’t just simply feeling nervous or scared. It’s a condition that can cause constant suffering in everyday life. Without proper help, anxiety can also affect your relationships and several other aspects of your life.
At Orchid, we provide comprehensive treatment for anxiety and other mental health issues. Our facility in Chiang Mai offers the perfect setting for healing and recovery. Reach out to us today to learn more.
