Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States, affecting more than 18 million adults each year. While there are many different treatments available for depression, EMDR therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for many people. In this blog post, we will discuss what is EMDR therapy for depression & how it can help treat depression.
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What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) is a type of psychotherapy that uses eye movements to help process traumatic memories. It was first developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the 1980s & has since been used for treating a wide range of psychological issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, phobias, & depression.
How Does EMDR Therapy For Depression Work?
During an EMDR session, the therapist will ask the client to focus on a distressing memory or thought. Along with it, following their finger as it moves from side to side across their field of vision. This helps to break up any patterns of thinking related to the negative memory or thought. It afterward allows new perspectives to be processed. At the same time, the therapist will also ask the client to focus on a positive thought or emotion while following their finger. This is designed to help replace any negative patterns with new positive ones.
The primary goal of EMDR is to help the client process their traumatic experience & gain a sense of closure. This is done by redirecting their emotions in a more positive direction. This allows them to better cope with whatever they are feeling. EMDR & depression can also help with cognitive reframing. It is the idea that changing one’s perspective on a situation can lead to positive changes in behavior.
What Are The Benefits Of EMDR Therapy In Depression?
Studies have shown that EMDR therapy for depression can be highly effective in reducing symptoms of depression & increasing overall well-being. This type of therapy has been found to reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, increase self-esteem & confidence, & even relieve physical symptoms associated with depression such as headaches & stomach aches. Additionally, EMDR may be more effective than traditional talk therapy for treating depression because it allows clients to process emotions more quickly & deeply than they would during a traditional therapy session.
What Depression Disorders Can EMDR Treat?
EMDR has been used to successfully treat a range of depression disorders, including major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, & postpartum depression. It can also be beneficial for those who have experienced traumatic episodes or events in their lives as well as for people struggling with low self-esteem or body image issues. In Reactive depression, which is caused by a traumatic event or experience, EMDR has been found to be particularly effective.
Techniques Used In EMDR For Depression
Here are the techniques used in EMDR for depression are:
History-Taking
The therapist will take a detailed history of the client’s experiences, emotions, & symptoms to better understand their disorder. In this way, the therapist can identify areas of conflict or distress that need to be addressed during EMDR therapy.
Get Prepare
The therapist will then help the client prepare for the session by discussing their goals & objectives, as well as any strategies they may have to cope with their condition. This is to help the client feel safe & comfortable during the treatment.
Assessment
The therapist will then assess the client’s emotional state & any triggers that may cause distress. This is used to identify which memories or thoughts need to be processed during the EMDR session.
Desensitization Or Reprocessing
Once the assessment is complete, the therapist will then guide the client through a process of desensitization or reprocessing. This involves the client focusing on a distressing memory or thought while following the therapist’s finger & replacing it with a more positive thought or emotion.
Installation
The therapist will then help the client to install or strengthen any new positive thinking patterns that were created during the desensitization process. In this stage, the therapist will ask the client to focus on a positive thought or memory & then use techniques like visualization or affirmations to help them fully install the new thought pattern.
Body Scan
The therapist may also suggest that the client do a body scan to become aware of any physical sensations they are feeling during the session. This can be used to help identify any areas of discomfort or tension that may need further attention.
Closure
The session will then be closed with the therapist providing the client with any additional required resources or support needed. This helps the client to gain a better understanding of their condition & how they can manage it in the future.
Re-evaluation
The therapist will also re-evaluate the client’s progress throughout the course of therapy. This helps them to ensure that they are progressing & benefiting from EMDR. This can involve a review of their symptoms, goals, & progress. Above all, any changes that may have occurred since the last session.
How Long Does It Take For EMDR To Work?
The duration of EMDR therapy depends on the individual, their condition, & the severity of their symptoms. On average, a course of EMDR therapy can take up to 10 sessions. However, some clients may need more or fewer sessions depending on their needs.
Generally, after several weeks or months of treatment EMDR are effective. Most individuals often find that their depression symptoms are reduced or eliminated entirely.
Conclusion
EMDR is an effective treatment for depression that can help clients process emotions more quickly & deeply than they would during traditional talk therapy. It can be used to treat a range of depression disorders. This covers major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, & postpartum depression. Additionally, it has been found to be particularly beneficial in Reactive depression caused by traumatic events or experiences. The techniques used in EMDR for treating depression include history-taking & preparation. Afterward, assessment, desensitization or reprocessing, installation, body scan, & closure are also included.
For more information, please contact MantraCare. Depression is a mental illness characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, & loss of interest in daily activities. If you have any queries regarding Online Depression Counseling experienced therapists at MantraCare can help: Book a trial Depression Therapy session
