EMDR: Is it for You?

Some experiences can leave you with lasting memories that come unexpectedly back into your mind, forcing you to relive a traumatic event as if it was happening all over again. Whether you have experienced a traumatic event once or multiple times you may continue to re-experience it as either flashbacks, intrusive memories or nightmares. Re-experiencing is a common symptom of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It can affect the way you live your life, leaving you feeling powerless. You are not alone, therapy can help.

Experts believe that re-experience can occur if the brain was too overwhelmed at the time of the event to process what happened. Instead, unprocessed memories are stored in the brain in raw form, and they become accessible when something triggers a recollection.

While memories may be deeply entrenched, it is believed by many experts that the process of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can alter how these traumatic memories are interpreted. EMDR is recognized as an effective therapeutic approach in treating distressing symptoms that can emerge after experiencing trauma.

Various Uses for EMDR

EMDR therapy is a method of treating trauma endorsed by several organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. It has also earned a recommendation from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence.

EMDR has been used to treat the symptoms of a wide range of conditions and concerns originating from traumatic experiences. It can be particularly helpful in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where individuals experience intrusive memories of the event, angry outbursts, difficulty in concentrating, and other intrusive symptoms. This approach has also been used to treat symptoms unrelated to trauma and has been shown to be effective in many cases.

More than an intervention, EMDR therapy is a comprehensive treatment approach that addresses multiple concerns and challenges. Many of these disturbing events may have occurred in childhood, involving hurtful relationships with family or peers. If the unprocessed memories are contributing to depression, anxiety, phobias, and low self-esteem, EMDR could help.

How Does EMDR Work?

When a traumatic event is experienced, it can disrupt the body’s natural cognitive and neurological processing mechanism. The overwhelmed brain may have difficulty processing the memory. The memory can be stored in an isolated network, including the associated negative emotions, physical impressions, and beliefs. Allowing unprocessed memories to take control can affect your present neurological processing mechanism and prevent you from doing things because of overwhelming feelings and fear.

EMDR is a way of reprocessing these traumatic memories to reduce their impact. EMDR involves an eight-phase approach to address past, present, and future memories. The goal is to reduce the distressing symptoms in the shortest time by combining these steps with other therapeutic protocols and procedures.

Life-Changing Benefits of EMDR

  • Reduces the frequency of re-experiencing traumatic memories
  • Reprocesses life’s most disturbing events
  • Provides means to manage trauma memories despite potential triggers
  • Enables engagement in activities and fulfilling relationships
  • Transforms negative self-beliefs into more effective ones
  • Boosts self-confidence
  • Serves as a powerful tool for self-improvement
  • Helps prevent burnout

Letting Go of the Past

If you have recurring memories that leave you feeling insecure, fearful, or depressed, you are not to blame. These thoughts could be unprocessed, improperly stored memories of a negative experience. EMDR could help.

Don’t let your past define your future. EMDR might just be what you need to move forward. At Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC, there are independently contracted counselors who offer EMDR. If you want to let go of your past, take control of your present. Call now to request an appointment.

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