Eye-catching Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorders

There are various modalities used to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (or PTSDs). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, exposure therapy, hypnotherapy, traditional psychotherapy, and medication are all commonly employed, but Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a newer form of treatment that has achieved significant results in a rapid manner.

Some critics have been quick to point out that EMDR was “heavily promoted” before there was any reliable research and that the actual eye movement involved in the procedure had nothing to do with the results. Desensitization and exposure, which are both part of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, were cited as the real cure. However, over the last 20 years, there have been a vast number of PTSD sufferers who have been successfully treated by this technique.

This form of psychotherapy is mainly used in treating PTSDs but has also been adopted into other areas. It was developed in 1987 by American psychologist Francine Shapiro, who is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Mental Research Institute, Palo Alto, California. One day, while walking through the park, she saw a connection between eye movement and the reduction of disturbing memories. Shapiro then embarked on extensive research over a two-year period to prove her theory.

Since then, EMDR has been studied on numerous occasions and is now at the forefront of PTSD treatment. In comparison to other modalities, it has been shown to have significant advantages in treating anxiety, depression and helping both male and female victims of sexual abuse.

In 1999, the Journal of Anxiety Disorders published the result of a study which examined the effectiveness of EMDR as compared with prescribed medication. The treatment was found to have been more beneficial than fluoxetine, a drug commonly prescribed for PTSD.

In comparison to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, both methods have been shown to have a similar level of effectiveness. However the results of one study, which were published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 2003, showed that of the 15 participants who took part, there was a greater reduction in symptoms and re-experiencing of traumatic events with EMDR. For others aspects of the study, the two methods scored similar results.

EMDR uses a mix of image exposure, cognitive and somatic therapies and, sometimes seen as controversial, bilateral stimulation (moving the eyes sharply from side to side). Shapiro believed that when a traumatic experience occurs, it can be so strong that the brain’s coping mechanism is unable to function properly and the memory is not properly installed. It is this causative factor that results in flashbacks or nightmares.

Combining a series of eye-movement exercises with brief spells of memory recall (usually between 15 and 30 seconds), the EMDR technique covers eight stages. It is believed that tying the traumatic memory to common and realistic movements increases the individual’s ability to approach it from a more logical standpoint.

The majority of PTSDs can be cured with one to three sessions of EMDR, but this is only the case if the condition is the result of an isolated incident. For those who have suffered a series of traumatic events, such as severe illness, or physical or sexual abuse as a child, the process can take considerably longer, and other treatment modalities are recommended for use in tandem with EMDR.

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