EMDR explained: how do eye movements process trauma?
EMDR sounds almost unbelievable: following eye movements while thinking about a distressing memory. Yet it is one of the best-supported treatments for trauma. In the Netherlands the EMDR Association (Vereniging EMDR Nederland, VEN) is the scientific body that safeguards the quality of EMDR. Based on its information, we explain what EMDR is and why it works.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a psychotherapeutic method, developed in 1989 by the American psychologist Francine Shapiro. EMDR is intended for complaints connected to memories of distressing events, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related complaints. It is included in the international guidelines for treating PTSD.
How does it work?
During an EMDR session you bring the distressing memory to mind while at the same time performing a distracting task: you follow the therapist's fingers or a light from left to right with your eyes, or you hear alternating sounds, or you feel a tap on each hand in turn. This is called bilateral stimulation. The memory itself remains, but the emotional charge attached to it becomes weaker.
Why does it work?
The theory with the most scientific support at present is the working memory theory. Our working memory can only handle a limited amount at once. Recalling a distressing memory is vivid and intense and therefore takes up a lot of memory capacity. But following the eye movements (or sounds or taps) also takes up memory capacity. Because of this competition, little room is left for the vividness and the distress of the memory. As a result the memory fades and loses its sharp edges.
Who is EMDR suitable for?
EMDR has the strongest scientific evidence base for PTSD and single-incident trauma. It is increasingly used for other complaints in which distressing memories play a role, such as anxiety, phobias, grief, a negative self-image and sometimes low mood. Whether EMDR fits your complaint is something you discuss with your provider during the intake.
How many sessions are needed?
This varies considerably from person to person and complaint to complaint. For a single-incident trauma, some people notice a clear difference after just one or two sessions. For more complex or longer-standing complaints, more sessions are needed. A qualified EMDR therapist can give an estimate after the intake.
Based on information from the EMDR Association Netherlands (Vereniging EMDR Nederland, VEN), emdr.nl.
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