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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (or EMDR) is a
relatively new form of therapy, sometimes used for
agoraphobia, that focuses on removing emotional triggers
associated with childhood abuse or trauma. Developed by Dr.
Francine Shapiro, EMDR combines a variety of therapeutic
approaches with eye movements and other forms of rhythmical
stimulation (e.g., sound and touch) in ways that stimulate
the brain’s information processing system.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing was first
practiced in 1989 as treatment for post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). Now it is used to treat depression,
generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia,
performance anxiety, dissociative disorders, problems with
body image, and personality disorders.
EMDR is recommended only for agoraphobia after the more
proven cognitive-behavioral approaches have been tried or in
cases where the agoraphobia develops from post-traumatic
stress.
For some individuals, a traumatic life event such as an auto
accident, mugging, rape, abuse, or childhood trauma can lead
to the development of agoraphobia. Usually the person will
develop another disorder first, like post-traumatic stress
disorder.
After having some panic attacks associated with the initial
disorder (at the scene of the trauma in some cases), the
person develops fearful associations with certain places or
situations. At some point, the fear generalizes and the
person starts having panic attacks more frequently and in a
wider variety of situations. Individuals who develop
agoraphobia in this manner are the most likely to benefit
from EMDR.
In EMDR, a therapist will ask you to revisit a traumatic
event and remember the feelings, negative thoughts, or
memories associated with it. While you are doing this, the
therapist will hold up two fingers about eighteen inches
from your face and move them from side to side. You will be
told to track the movement of the therapist’s fingers with
your eyes.
As you concentrate on the traumatic event during therapy,
you are trying to bring its memory to life. The mental
imagery you are able to conjure up during the therapy
session is then processed by your eye movements,
facilitating the exchange of painful feelings for peaceful,
loving, and resolved feelings.
Though some mental health professionals claim that they have
had positive results using EMDR to help people with
agoraphobia, there is not a body of research to support its
effectiveness.
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