Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is becoming a popular modality in the world of trauma treatment. However, because of its success with trauma patients, EMDR is now being used to help with other mental health conditions, including anxiety.
The idea behind this type of therapy is to desensitize your mind to the things that trigger your anxiety. That doesn’t mean those things go away. However, it changes your perception of them. Then, you can reprocess those triggers to gain more control over them, rather than letting them control you.
There’s a reason why EMDR is becoming more common as a treatment for anxiety — it’s often highly effective. But how does it really work, and is it the right solution for you?
An Alternative to CBT
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. As a result, there are a variety of treatment options designed to help with symptom management. However, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common. CBT can help you get to the underlying cause of your anxiety, and your therapist can work with you on different ways to help your symptoms seem less severe.
CBT has been successful for many years and will undoubtedly remain a powerhouse when it comes to anxiety treatment options. But, there are a few key differences between CBT and EMDR that are important to note.
First, it’s not always easy to open up and talk about your fears and worries — especially to a therapist. While EMDR does require you to give a bit of background, it isn’t considered a type of talk therapy, like CBT. Instead of opening up about your anxiety for multiple sessions, you’ll spend a short time letting your therapist know your feelings, and trust the process after that.
Distracting Yourself from the Memory
Distracting Yourself from the MemoryEMDR has been successful with trauma and PTSD because it allows people to distract themselves from the memories of their traumatic experiences. It treats anxiety the same way.
As you go through your sessions, your therapist will guide your eye movements back and forth using their finger or an object. As they direct your eyes, bilateral stimulation is happening in the brain. This allows your thoughts to flow freely, but also can serve as a distraction from your anxious thoughts.
During the reprocessing stage, you’ll learn to replace negative beliefs and thoughts with positive ones. If you have specific things that trigger your anxiety, EDMR isn’t meant to make them disappear. Rather, it can be used to help you see those triggers in a different light.
Finally, you’ll go through an installation period of EMDR. Once your anxiety has seen a significant decrease, your therapist will help you foster positive beliefs about yourself that you can carry with you long after your sessions are complete. Adopting this mindset will make it easier to counter negative thoughts in the future.
Is EMDR Right for You?
If you’re struggling with anxiety, you’re not alone. But, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to treatment. Maybe you’ve tried CBT and didn’t get the results you wanted. Or, maybe you’re uncomfortable opening up for hours on end and you want to try something different.
EMDR isn’t for everyone. Some people will always prefer traditional methods and talking things through. But, if you’re interested in a science-backed approach to reprocessing your mind and taking control of anxiety, it’s worth looking into. It’s considered a short-term therapy, but it can provide lasting results if you’re open to it.
If you’re interested in learning more about EMDR for anxiety relief, please contact me for information or to set up an appointment.