Conditions Treated by EMDR
EMDR therapy can benefit conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, panic attacks, phobias, and trauma from abuse or accidents. It also helps with grief, chronic pain, eating disorders, addiction, and performance anxiety. By reprocessing distressing memories, EMDR promotes healing and reduces emotional distress effectively.
Brain Activity and EMDR
EMDR therapy influences brain activity by reprocessing traumatic memories, reducing overactivity in the amygdala (fear center) and enhancing prefrontal cortex function (rational thinking). Bilateral stimulation, like eye movements, promotes communication between hemispheres, aiding memory integration. This decreases emotional distress and strengthens neural networks for healthier processing.
Eye Movement and EMDR
Eye movement in EMDR therapy is central, as it facilitates bilateral stimulation, alternating between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. This process helps reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional charge. Guided by a therapist, it mimics REM sleep, aiding in desensitization and cognitive restructuring for healing.