EDMR Can Save Your Life

EMDR saved my life and could possibly save yours, or at the very least, help you in tremendous ways you never thought possible. The explanation of how EMDR works sounds far more complicated than the actual processes. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a form of therapy developed by Francis Shapiro to help the development of trauma-related disorders, such as Post Traumatic Distress Syndrome. EMDR was at first scoffed at by many medical professions many years ago, but has proven itself to be a viable and very helpful relief aid today. First I will explain how EMDR works, then I will relate my amazing experiences.

The theory of EMDR works by helping the sufferer process distressing memories. First and most important is that the patient establishes a safe place for the conscious mind to go to if the feelings become too uncomfortable. The safe place can be anything from a beloved pet, a spouse, a relaxing scenic view or anything that the patient feels safe upon seeing. The patient puts on headphones and the specialist turns on a small machine that reverberates a sound that goes back and forth between the ears. This machine sets the tone of stimulation to the brain and help the patient.

Also used is a technique where the patient is trained to follow the fingers of the specialist for the use of rapid eye movement. These techniques are normally not used together. It all depends upon which one the patient is most comfortable with using as a response system. EMDR has an eight phase approach, addressing the past, present and future aspects of the trauma stored in the memory.

In phase one, the patient’s history and overall treatment plan are reviewed. The specialist identifies potential targets for EMDR. Targets can be a disturbing issue, event, feeling or memory. In phase two, the safe place is designated. In phase three, a target is identified along with the disturbance associated with it. The specialist then begins by separating negative aspects from positive aspects. In phase four, the patient focuses on the target image. The specialist then asks the patient to follow a moving object, usually fingertips moving alternately from side to side. After a set of eye movements, the patient is asked to describe what has arisen in their mind. The target always provides an image, sensation or memory. In phase five, known as “The Installation Phase”, the specialist asks the patient how valid the target was present in the body or mind. This is usually followed by a new set of eye movements to validate the process. In stage six comes the body scan. The specialist asks if anywhere in the patient’s body is stress or discomfort felt. If a particular part of the body is validated, you have a viable target. In stage seven is the debriefing, where the specialist gives comfort and support. Stage eight is a re-evaluation of the process, closure. The patient is usually asked to keep a written record of any related memories or sensations that arise between sessions. It all sound too simple to work, but this process is miraculous.

My Personal Work With EMDR

Until spring of 2002, I was living a normal, happy life. One night I awoke trembling, shaking uncontrollably, sweating profusely, my body changing from hot to cold. I felt I could not breathe. I was sure I was going to die. My wife woke up and asked me if I wanted to go to the hospital. I said no. After twenty minutes or so, the feelings subsided.

I went to my family doctor the next day. After running several tests, he concluded I had an anxiety attack. He prescribed two weeks worth of anti-anxiety medication and told me to take it easy for a few days. My boss at work was very understanding and gave me two days off from work. I began to feel better and returned to work.

Several nights later, the same thing happened, only worse. My heart felt like it was going a million miles an hour. I returned to my doctor and he determined I had high blood pressure. After going through several different HBP medications, we finally found one that worked. It was certainly no picnic. Things returned to normal for a while. I was at work one day, when I suddenly felt faint and could not breathe properly. After a while, it went away. Then things kept getting worse. I continued to have the night attacks. Soon, they began in the early afternoon. I decided to see another doctor. This doctor told me I was having anxiety attacks, but to make sure nothing was wrong with my heart, he sent me to a heart specialist. I took a variety of tests and he concluded my heart was fine. I returned to the new doctor who told me I was suffering from severe anxiety attacks. He prescribed a medicine that worked well.

Several weeks later, the attacks began again. The next one was worse than ever. My wife insisted I go to the hospital. They ran every test known to mankind and determined I should see a psychiatrist. I found one who took me in immediately. The initial appointment was ninety minutes, where I described my life to him. He concluded I suffered from Post Traumatic Distress Syndrome from being severely abused by my father virtually every night and day until I was old enough to move out. I was surprised. I thought PTSD was only for war veterans, but he told me it could come from any traumatic event. Lying in bed as a four year old child, the attack from my father could come at any time. I had trouble going to sleep, did poorly in school and became a very fearful child and young man. He said the effects of PTSD was the same as being in a war, since I knew I was going to be attacked, but I did not know where or when the beatings would occur. He suggested I see a therapist. I went through several therapists, but nothing helped. It was then my psychiatrist told me I would be a perfect candidate for a therapy called EDMR. I had never heard of it and looked up all the information on EDMR that I could find. I figured why not give it a chance.

There was only one EDMR specialist in our town and she took me on as a client. After a lengthy discussion about my past, she concluded EDMR was right for me. Much to my surprise, it began to work right away. It took me into my subconscious and I began to discover problems I had never dealt with before. The steps of EDMR that I described earlier in this article were truly amazing. She took me back to a place where I could actually talk to my father as a young child. He told me he had a lot of stress and could not control his temper. I had two sisters whom he never mistreated. Why he chose me to take his frustrations out on I will never know since he refuses to talk about it. I continue to see my psychiatrist for medication and go to EDMR sessions twice per month. My life has completely changed. I am an entirely different person now. I have not had an anxiety attack since then and I have found that I can lead a happy and normal life once again. I found out that I had depression all my life and didn’t even know it. If you suffer from any of these symptoms such as anxiety, depression or worse, I stingly suggest you seek help. You may be surprised, as I have been, that you can return to having a wonderful and much more enlightened life.

Note: Some information for this article was obtained from EMDR Institute, Inc. and Wikipedia.org