Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is a recommended treatment for people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
When a person experiences a traumatic event, it can be difficult for the brain to process information because of such strong overwhelming emotions experienced. EMDR works by helping the brain to process traumatic memories and file them away into the past.
It uses bi-lateral stimulation (typically eye-movements) to help the brain to do this. It appears to mimic what the brain does naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, in order to integrate incoming information.
EMDR is patient-centred, helping you to resolve the trauma in the way you need to. Although you don’t need to go into detail about what happened, it can be an intense and emotional process, so it is advised for the individual to be in a reasonably stable situation (both internally and externally) to be able to tolerate some distress.
Studies have shown EMDR to be very effective in the healing process from psychological traumas and helping people to be able to move on.
