Eye Movement Desensitization and Processing (EMDR)

This chapter describes EMDR’s role in treating PTSD.

Chapter Abstract

“EMDR was originally developed to address traumatic memories. In teaching patients who have had a traumatic experience to repetitively move their eyes in a conjugate manner while contemplating that memory, EMDR therapy attempts to copy the conjugate eye movements occurring in rapid eye movement sleep (REMS). EMDR was consciously based on the theoretically proposed role for REMS in emotional processing during sleep, particularly in the case of negative emotions and trauma. Unfortunately for this theoretical construct, despite intensive research, no clear evidence has been discovered suggesting that the processing of emotional memories is confined to REMS. However, from the very first, remarkable results have been obtained using EMDR to treat patients diagnosed with PTSD. EMDR therapy consistently demonstrates large effects in treating subjective distress and moderate effects in treating PTSD and depression. There are a plethora of trained therapists, and since EMDR is non-aversive and not known to induce negative side effects, it is apparently ideal for use in at-risk populations. EMDR is equally effective to prolonged exposure when used immediately post-trauma. More studies document the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in treating PTSD than support any other form of PTSD therapy. A typical EMDR treatment protocol is described.”

—Description from publisher

Chapter Access

Purchase Required

Pagel, J. F. (2021). Eye Movement Desensitization and Processing (EMDR). In J. F. Pagel (Ed.) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (pp. 99-105). Springer Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55909-0_12   

About the Book

“PTSD is in no way an easy diagnosis for the patient, the provider, or the therapist. It is a diagnosis developed at the border of our capacity to handle extreme stress, a marker diagnosis denoting the limits of our capacity for functioning in the stress of this modern world. For both individuals and society, PTSD marks the limits of our available compassion and our capacity to protect ourselves from the dangers of the environment and other humans. PTSD is often a chronic disease, forming at a place where mind sometimes no longer equals the brain, a point at which individual patient requirements often trump theory and belief.

There are treatments for PTSD that work, and many that do not. This book presents evidence, rather than theory, anecdote, or case report.  Psychological approaches including prolonged exposure, imagery rehearsal therapy and EMDR have a greater than 75% positive short-term response when used to treat PTSD. Yet these treatments vary markedlyand have different, even contradictory underlying theory and objectives for treatment. Medications, rarely indicated as primary therapy, can be used to treat symptoms and address comorbid PTSD diagnoses. Treatment of sleep apnea in the PTSD population produces a positive effect on symptoms and a reduction in morbidity and mortality across the span of life. Complementary treatments offer the many individuals chronically affected by PTSD assistance in coping with symptoms and opportunities to attempt to functionally integrate their experience of trauma.

Print ISBN: 978-3-030-55908-3

Online ISBN: 978-3-030-55909-0”

—Description from publisher