In recent years, Brooklyn EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy has emerged as a leading option for treating traumatic memories. However, many individuals are unaware of the treatment’s existence or its potential efficacy.
What is EMDR?
Psychotherapy, known as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), employs a patient’s deliberate eye movements to reduce stress through bilateral brain stimulation.
Although therapists first used EMDR to treat PTSD 25 years ago, it has only lately surpassed other psychotherapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in popularity.
Explaining the Mechanisms of EMDR
Their therapists often encourage anxiety sufferers to focus on triggers for their distress. The therapist will have the patient look in one direction while following a finger or a light with the other. The patient’s worry about those ideas should lessen as a result of the eye movements. Throughout therapy, the therapist will gradually increase the amount of time the patient spends in a state of anxiety.
How Effective Is EMDR Therapy for Anxiety?
Many different types of anxiety are included under the umbrella word “anxiety.” Although EMDR therapy can be helpful for many people, it may not have the same effect on everyone who suffers from anxiety. Find out what kinds of anxiety EMDR can help with.
- PTSD
Patients diagnosed with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) are the most common recipients of therapist recommendations for EMDR.
Anxiety upon the recollection of a terrible experience is a hallmark of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite its common association with war veterans, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect anybody who has endured a traumatic event, such as abuse at home or a car crash.
- Phobias
When a person with a phobia encounters the object of their dread, they experience crippling fear and anxiety.
The goal of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is to help patients overcome their fears by desensitizing them to their triggers over time.
- Afraid of Being Around Other People(Social Anxiety)
People who suffer from severe anxiety when interacting with others are affected by social anxiety. Patients may have difficulty communicating with others, leading them to withdraw from friends and family and find it difficult to form new relationships.
- Attacks of Panic
Patients with panic disorder may feel overwhelmed by their worry. There’s no telling when the panic attacks will strike.
When treating panic attacks using EMDR, the therapist will look for specific triggers and then employ those triggers throughout the treatment’s eight phases.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
It is characterized by both intrusive, repetitive thoughts and ritualized behaviors. Anxiety is usually the root cause of obsessive thinking. To alleviate the stress brought on by the obsessive thoughts, the patient engages in ritualistic behavior.