Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing

Over the last decade, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprogramming (EMDR) has emerged as a well documented treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A growing body of research is exploring its application to the treatment of other pathological conditions, including substance use disorders. EMDR was developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro, at the time a graduate student in English literature confronting a diagnosis of cancer. Ms. Shapiro noted that, when dealing with her own distressing memories, simultaneously focusing on eye movements appeared to decrease the associated negative emotions. She assumed that eye movements had a desensitizing effect, and upon further investigation found that others also had the same response to the technique.

Magazine

English

Staff

Staff. (2004, July). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Office of Substance Abuse Services, Current Tx Trends, 2(7), 1-2