The mind, like the body, has the ability to cure itself organically. Much of this natural coping strategy happens while you’re sleeping, especially during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. In 1987, Francine Shapiro created Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a natural approach for treating PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Since then, EMDR has been successfully utilised to treat a variety of mental health issues.
What occurs after you’ve been through a traumatic experience?
The majority of the time, your body manages new information and events without your knowledge. When something out of the ordinary happens, such as being traumatised by an overwhelming incident (such as a car accident) or being frequently exposed to discomfort (such as childhood neglect), your natural coping system can become overburdened. This overloading might cause troubling memories to get “frozen” or “unprocessed” in your mind. Such “raw” and emotional memories and feelings are retained in the limbic system of your brain, rather than in a spoken “narrative” manner.
Traumatic memories are stored in an isolated memory network related with emotions and physical sensations in the limbic system, which is separate from the brain’s cortex, where language is used to retain memories. Traumatic memories in the limbic system might be triggered again when you have circumstances that are similar to the terrible experiences you have had. The memories is often forgotten, but the painful emotions of worry, panic, rage, and despair are constantly awakened in the present. As a result, your capacity to live in the now and learn from new experiences may be hampered. EMDR aids in the formation of connections between your brain’s memory networks, allowing your brain to process traumatic memories in a natural manner.
What are some of the applications of EMDR?
EMDR has been successfully used to treat to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and can be used for :
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Depressed mood.
- Anxiety.
- Fears and phobias
- Sleep disturbances
- Bereavement
- Addiction
- Self-esteem and performance anxiety, as well as pain alleviation and phantom limb discomfort.
Is EMDR appropriate for everyone?
By addressing the impact of your previous traumas and allowing you to live more completely in the present, EMDR can help you get through therapy faster. However, it is not suitable for everyone. The procedure moves quickly, and any unpleasant feelings, if they occur at all, endure only a few minutes. However, you must be aware of and willing to experience the strong emotions and troubling thoughts that can arise during sessions.
How long does it take to get treatment?
EMDR can be used as a stand-alone therapy or as part of a larger psychotherapy programme. EMDR sessions might last anywhere between 60 and 90 minutes.
Will I be able to maintain my power and control?
You will be fully attentive and wide-awake throughout your EMDR treatment. This is not hypnosis, and you have complete control over the procedure. The therapist will encourage and facilitate your own self-healing during the session and will intervene as little as possible. Reprocessing is typically perceived as something that occurs spontaneously, with new connections and insights emerging naturally from within. As a result, the majority of individuals regard EMDR as a natural and uplifting therapy.
Is there any proof that EMDR is a successful treatment?
EMDR is a cutting-edge therapeutic treatment that has benefited more than a million people. EMDR’s validity and reliability have been shown via extensive study. EMDR has now been studied in nineteen controlled trials, making it the most fully investigated therapy for trauma treatment.
Mind & Mood Clinic, Nagpur for EMDR therapy?
Dr. Rameez Shaikh, MD is consultant Psychiatrist and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing practitioner and member of the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS). We are now providing remote based, online provision for EMDR. Our online priority is to create a safe and contained space to work with you and support trauma resolution, using proven and evaluated methods. If you’re currently struggling and the choice is no EMDR and EMDR online, then certainly EMDR online is definitely the better choice
Dr. Rameez Shaikh (MBBS, MD, MIPS) is a consultant Psychiatrist, Sexologist & Psychotherapist in Nagpur and works at Mind & Mood Clinic. He believes that science-based treatment, encompassing spiritual, physical, and mental health, will provide you with the long-lasting knowledge and tool to find happiness and wholeness again.
Dr. Rameez Shaikh, a dedicated psychiatrist , is a beacon of compassion and understanding in the realm of mental health. With a genuine passion for helping others, he combines his extensive knowledge and empathetic approach to create a supportive space for his patients.
