7 votes

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) for treating trauma [newspaper article]

5 comments

  1. myk
    Link
    I found this a very interesting introduction to a treatment for mental health issues caused by trauma, which is gaining favour despite there being no clear model for why it is effective.

    I found this a very interesting introduction to a treatment for mental health issues caused by trauma, which is gaining favour despite there being no clear model for why it is effective.

    3 votes
  2. [4]
    sublime_aenima
    Link
    My wife is a therapist who specializes in trauma and addiction. She says EMDR is one of the best tools she has. Her explanation for how it works is that the trauma creates a positive feedback loop...

    My wife is a therapist who specializes in trauma and addiction. She says EMDR is one of the best tools she has. Her explanation for how it works is that the trauma creates a positive feedback loop of negative emotions. The EMDR helps identify the neural cluster(s) that trigger the loop and then they are able to reprocess that memory to break the cycle.

    After lots of standard therapy, it was receiving EMDR that really helped her overcome the childhood trauma that her parents put her through.

    3 votes
    1. [3]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. [2]
        myk
        Link Parent
        I like that hypnosis analogy! You just reminded me that as I was reading the article, I wondered if the rapid scanning eye-movements you make while reading contributes to why novels can generate...

        I like that hypnosis analogy!

        You just reminded me that as I was reading the article, I wondered if the rapid scanning eye-movements you make while reading contributes to why novels can generate such an emotional connection.

        1 vote
        1. [2]
          Comment deleted by author
          Link Parent
          1. sublime_aenima
            Link Parent
            The kit my wife has is headphones and little pods that you hold in your hands to induce the taps.

            The kit my wife has is headphones and little pods that you hold in your hands to induce the taps.

            2 votes
    2. myk
      Link Parent
      Thanks for the validation of the value of this technique. I was very surprised when I read the article as it sounded at first like some Gwyneth Paltrow-level woo, but then turned out to be a...

      Thanks for the validation of the value of this technique. I was very surprised when I read the article as it sounded at first like some Gwyneth Paltrow-level woo, but then turned out to be a remarkable addition to the toolset available to mental health professionals.

      2 votes