EMDR shows positive results in treating PTSD

“Eye Movement Desensitizing and Reprocessing” or EMDR, is an innovative treatment for psychological disorders such as PTSD, first discovered and developed by California psychologist Francine Shapiro, PhD. in the 1980’s. EMDR uses eye movements to turn on memory processing systems that are normally activated by Rapid Eye Movement (RIM) during periods of sleep. During REM, our brains are processing memories, deciding what to keep and what to discard. However, when the brain attempts to process traumatic memories, the intense emotions often associated by them causes the sleeper to have nightmares and wake up before the memory can be processed. The results can be continued nightmares, flashbacks, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Normally, with just a few treatments, EMDR can help the brain to process the traumatic memories by initiating RIM while the patient is fully awake. For more information on EMDR visit: www.emdr.com

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Beougher, F. (2005, January). EMDR shows positive results in treating PTSD. The Tennessee Veteran, 1(2), 3