This video by Psych Hub discusses EMDR, a popular therapeutic technique for desensitizing people to traumatic memories. Psych Hub is an online mental health learning complex, educating patients about their treatment options for common psychiatric problems.
PTSD is a complex disorder involving the processing of stress after a traumatic event. PTSD is a situation where painful memories are a problem in someone’s life.
PTSD can be treated, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is an evidence-based treatment that can help more than other types of therapy.
During EMDR, the therapist works to keep the session comfortable and relaxed, but also productive. While the therapist works to keep the patient’s attention distracted with lights or a moving pencil, among other tools, the goal is to desensitize the patient’s brain from the trauma’s source: The traumatic memories. Over time and through therapy, the emotions associated with the memories can change.
EMDR is a great tool for dealing with PTSD and C-PTSD. It can keep patients calm while helping them to process and alter their feelings about an event that can’t be changed in their past. Patients who used this technique reported great changes over time in how they process feelings and memories.
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