Treatment ends bad memories

A therapy developed in 1987 by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro is helping patients diminish and remove the effects of those disturbing memories.The therapy is called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Trained therapists use it by alternating stimulation between the two hemispheres of the brain while the patient focuses on the trauma."It's a fairly complicated therapy," said licensed counselor Roger Ludwig. "I go through a series of steps with my patients. "Those steps include getting to know the patient and understanding what triggers the anxiety.The patient also must isolate a mental snapshot to represent the event, a feeling about the event and thoughts about the event, such as "He's going to kill me."The doctor then runs the patient through a sequence of bilateral stimuli.

Newspaper

English

Amber Nickell

Nickell, A. (1998, July 4). Treatment ends bad memories. Cheyenne, WY: Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, A6