EMDR — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy developed by Francine Shapiro, originally for PTSD. It involves processing traumatic or distressing memories while the person undergoes bilateral stimulation (eye movements, alternating sounds, or taps). It has robust evidence for PTSD and is being studied for other anxiety disorders.
The exact mechanism isn't fully understood, but it's believed that bilateral stimulation during processing of the distressing memory facilitates its integration — similarly to what happens during REM sleep, when rapid eye movements accompany memory processing. The result is a reduction in the emotional charge attached to the memory.
The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends EMDR as a first-line treatment for PTSD in both adults and children.
💡 Practical example
Someone with severe anxiety linked to a car accident uses EMDR to reprocess the memory of the crash. After the sessions, they can think about the event without the emotional and physical intensity that used to accompany the memory.
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