Cover of the book EMDR: The Breakthrough Therapy for Overcoming Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma by Francine Shapiro, published 1997

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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an approach developed by Francine Shapiro to resolve symptoms resulting from exposure to a traumatic or distressing event, such as rape. more...

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Clinical trials have demonstrated EMDR's efficacy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has shown to be more effective than some alternative treatments and equivalent to cognitive behavioral and exposure therapies (see effectiveness sections below). Although some clinicians may use EMDR for various problems, its research support is primarily for disorders stemming from distressing life experiences.

The theoretical model underlying EMDR treatment hypothesizes that EMDR works by processing distressing memories. EMDR is based on a theoretical information processing model which posits that symptoms arise when events are inadequately processed, and can be eradicated when the memory is fully processed. It is an integrative therapy, synthesizing elements of many traditional psychological orientations, such as psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, experiential, physiological, and interpersonal therapies.

EMDR's most controversial aspect is an unusual component of dual attention stimulation, such as eye movements, bilateral sound, or bilateral tactile stimulation. The contention is the effective elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, desensitization and reprocessing, have been rebranded with eye movements as a novel therapy. As such some individuals have criticized EMDR and consider the use of eye movements to be completely unnecessary.. However, more recent studies have found that the eye movement in EMDR correlate with decreases in heart rate, skin conductance, and an increased finger temperature . This is consistent with earlier research on physiological changes associated with EMDR . Also recent studies that have removed eye movement from the method have found the procedure less effective .

Description of therapy

According to Shapiro's theory, when a traumatic or distressing experience occurs, it may overwhelm usual ways of coping and be inadequately processed; it is then dysfunctionally stored in an isolated memory network. When this memory network is activated, the individual may re-experience aspects of the original event, often resulting in inappropriate overreactions. This explains why people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic incident may have recurring sensory flashbacks, thoughts, beliefs, or dreams. An unprocessed incident can retain high levels of intensity, even though many years may have passed.