Does EMDR Work for Trauma and PTSD?

Summary

The script discusses EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a technique developed by Francine Shapiro, and its use in treating trauma. It explores the effectiveness of controlled exposure to traumatic memories and cognitive restructuring, comparing EMDR to hypnosis. The speaker emphasizes the importance of control and perspective in therapy, highlighting how hypnosis can help individuals change their view of traumatic events.

Takeaways

• 🔍 EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) was developed by Francine Shapiro and is widely used, including by the VA, to help people with trauma.
• 👁️ The original idea behind EMDR was to facilitate communication between the brain hemispheres through eye movements during the discussion of traumatic experiences.
• 🤔 Studies have shown that the eye movements in EMDR might not be as crucial as initially thought, and Francine Shapiro later shifted to using tapping instead.
• 📚 Reexposure under controlled conditions to traumatic memories is therapeutic, which is a component of both exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring.
• 💡 Hypnotic techniques, similar to the eye movements in EMDR, have been historically used to induce hypnosis, and there is a connection between EMDR and hypnosis.
• 🎯 Control is a key aspect of effective psychotherapy, including EMDR, where traumatic memories are summoned in a controlled manner unlike flashbacks.
• 🔄 Cognitive restructuring is crucial in changing how one perceives a traumatic event, helping to see it from a new perspective and understand it differently.
• 🚑 The VA has extensively used EMDR to help combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, emphasizing the summoning of traumatic events in a controlled environment.
• 🧠 Hypnosis can reduce activity in the default mode network, allowing individuals to try out being different and change their self-perception in relation to trauma.
• 💭 The process of cognitive restructuring in therapy, including hypnosis, helps individuals to focus not just on what went wrong but also on what they did right to help themselves.

Q & A

What is EMDR and who developed it?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a widely used therapeutic technique developed by Francine Shapiro, primarily used to help people with trauma.

How is EMDR related to hypnotic techniques?

EMDR has a hypnotic element, especially in its original form where it involved eye movements back and forth. This is similar to the oldest method of inducing hypnosis, which often involved the subject's eyes following a moving object.

What is the role of reexposure in trauma therapy?

Reexposure under controlled conditions to traumatic memories is therapeutic. It helps in managing trauma by allowing individuals to confront and process their traumatic experiences in a safe and controlled manner.

What are the components of EMDR besides discussing the traumatic event?

EMDR involves not just discussing the traumatic event, but also includes eye movements (though their effectiveness is debated), cognitive restructuring, and controlled exposure to traumatic memories.

Why did Francine Shapiro shift from using eye movements to tapping in EMDR?

Towards the end of her career, Francine Shapiro stopped using eye movements in EMDR and shifted to tapping and other methods. This was due to studies showing that the eye movements might not be as crucial to the therapy's effectiveness as initially thought.

How does exposure therapy differ from flashbacks in the context of PTSD?

Exposure therapy involves controlled reexposure to traumatic memories, unlike flashbacks which are uncontrolled and can feel like re-experiencing the trauma. The control element is crucial in therapy, as it allows the individual to process the event in a safe environment.

What is the significance of cognitive restructuring in trauma therapy?

Cognitive restructuring helps individuals see their traumatic experiences from a new perspective, understanding them differently. It enables them to reframe their thoughts and feelings about the event, which can be therapeutic.

How does hypnosis contribute to PTSD treatment?

Hypnosis can be used to control the summoning of traumatic memories in a safe and controlled manner. It also helps in cognitive restructuring by allowing individuals to see the event from a different viewpoint, potentially changing their perspective on what happened.

What is the role of the default mode network in hypnosis?

The default mode network, involved in self-reflection and self-understanding, is less active when you concentrate, such as during hypnosis. This allows individuals to try out being different and see how it feels, which can be beneficial in changing their self-perception.

How can hypnosis help in changing one's perspective about a traumatic event?

Hypnosis allows individuals to relive a traumatic event in a controlled manner and focus on the positive aspects of their response, such as actions taken to protect themselves. This can help in restructuring their view of the event and themselves, leading to a more positive self-perception.