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EMDR is recognised as an empirically supported treatment for trauma by 15 different national and international guidelines including the World Health Organisation and NICE.  More than 30 randomised controlled studies have verified its effects as effective in the treatment in an array of clinical problems. The model of EMDR posits that the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are caused by disturbing information in the brain.

 

 The information is stored in the same form that it was initially experienced, because the information processing system has been blocked.   Therefore, unprocessed memories or information are stored in separate unconnected networks together with negative cognitions (thoughts) emotions and sensations.  

 

Such unprocessed material breaks through into consciousness by means of intrusions in the form of flashbacks, re-experiencing, intensely felt bodily sensations or emotions that are all the symptoms of PTSD and trauma.

EMDR is an enormously powerful way of allowing these memory networks to link causing spontaneous insight and change.   The bilateral stimulation (BLS) using primarily eye movements (although there are other modes of BLS), stimulates the information processing system to activate this linkage

EMDR seems to emulate what’s happening in REM, or rapid eye movement sleep, when our most intense dreaming takes place: the eye movements appear to be involved during the processing of unconscious material.  New information can come to mind and resolve the old problems, in itself a therapeutic process. 

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I use EMDR to help with complex PTSD, panic attacks and anxiety both online and in person.  With Dissociative Disorders and Dissociative Identity Disorder, EMDR may be used to improve communication and collaboration between parts and that may be the primary use of EMDR before, or instead of, processing traumatic memories.    

 

 

Here are a few links and information on EMDR 

https://emdrassociation.org.uk/

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=bIJZQAr9nQo&feature=emb_logo

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