For those who are struggling to process trauma, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be a game-changer. Maybe your doctor has recommended that you consider it. But before you give it a try, you’ll likely have some questions about the process and its effects. Let’s review some of the basics.
EMDR Therapy
Has anyone ever recommended EMDR to you? For some, it can make a huge difference in treatment efficacy and overall quality of life. People with PTSD, anxiety, chronic depression, and other issues have found surprising relief from EMDR that they haven’t gotten from other therapies and medications. If you’ve been pursuing therapy for one of these issues, a medical professional has probably recommended EMDR to you at some point.
If you’re a savvy patient, you know it’s smart to get all of the information you can about a therapeutic technique before you give it a shot. One of the biggest questions you always have to consider is what, if any, side effects a treatment might have. So, what are EMDR side effects?
How Does EMDR Work?
To understand EMDR side effects, it’s helpful to know how the therapy works in the first place. EMDR is a therapeutic technique that is used for patients who are experiencing an unmanageable degree of mental and physical distress. This is usually due to past experiences that have caused trauma.
As therapists have learned more about how to effectively treat trauma, they have learned that trauma can actually create new patterns in the brain for processing information. While these patterns can help a person survive a traumatizing experience, they can also lead to problems after the experience. The theory behind EMDR is that these patterns can be changed or eliminated if a patient is aided in reprocessing the trauma from a safer place. By remembering traumatic events in a safe environment and using eye motions to trigger the brain’s processing centers, patients can re-process trauma and integrate it more safely into the story of their life. This can lead to a lessening, or even eliminating, of the distress.
What Are EMDR Side Effects?
One of the things that patients tend to appreciate about EMDR is that it doesn’t have many side effects. If you’ve sought medication or treatment in the past, you know that they can have a huge impact on how you live your life. EMDR is loved by therapists and clients alike because it’s a low-risk, high-impact treatment with extremely manageable side effects.
While it is a very safe option, EMDR can occasionally have side effects that patients should be aware of:
- Sometimes while reprocessing traumatic events, patients will remember the events more clearly as they re-experience the distress involved. New memories can also occasionally emerge as events are re-processed.
- Some patients experience heightened physical or emotional sensitivity during or immediately following sessions.
- Some patients report having vivid dreams after challenging EMDR sessions.
While these side effects can be discouraging, patients should be aware that they are a normal part of treatment and will subside as they successfully reprocess their trauma. Patients should be sure to communicate any of these side effects with their therapist as they go through treatment. Their therapist will help them manage these side effects until they subside.
Is EMDR Worth It?
While side effects can be intimidating, potential EMDR patients should be aware that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks for most who participate. While research into EMDR is still young, the results so far have been promising. According to recent studies, up to 90 percent of trauma survivors are able to stop experiencing PTSD symptoms within three EMDR sessions. The World Health Organization, the Department of Veteran Affairs, and many other medical bodies recommend it as an effective and low-risk treatment for trauma patients.
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EMDR side effects are typically limited, and most patients and therapists find them more manageable than side effects from other interventions. If you have more questions, talk to your therapist about whether EMDR is right for you.
Reed Behavioral Health offers highly individualized solutions for individuals and families who have been impacted by behavioral health problems. Our approach is different. It starts with a comprehensive and individualized assessment process so we can determine how to best help you. This includes a firm understanding of your value system and what you want out of life. Ultimately, we offer individualized care using an integrative model, working with our clients to resolve the lingering issues beyond their disorders so they can have a full life. For more information, please call us at 763-292-2368, email us at [email protected], or send us a message online. We look forward to working with you!