EMDR THERAPY FOR OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)

If you live with OCD you likely experience obsessions. These negative thoughts become overwhelming and pervasive. You may even engage in compulsive behavior to cope as it helps reduce the intensity of the negative feelings.

EMDR is most commonly used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It aims to help you process traumatic memories in a safe environment. Research shows it can also help treat OCD, meaning your symptoms will have less of a daily impact.

WHAT IS EMDR?

The goal of EMDR is to help process traumatic memories to recover from the effects of trauma. It was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987. It is considered a nontraditional form of therapy. It is based on the idea that some traumatic memories get stuck when our brain is attempting to process it.

When we become triggered – see something that reminds us of the trauma – it feels like it’s happening again. Our brains struggle with distinguishing between the past and the present. When triggered, the memories come up repeatedly in flashbacks, nightmares, and fear.

During an EMDR session, you will recall traumatic memories while using bilateral stimulation. This bilateral stimulation is meant to engage both sides of your brain. Recalling trauma while stimulating both sides of your brain helps you store those memories correctly. Because this is done in a safe environment, your nervous system learns to rest instead of continually entering into the fight, flight or freeze mode when triggered.

WHAT OTHER CONDITIONS CAN EMDR HELP TREAT?

Although EMDR is used primarily for treating PTSD, research suggests it can be used to treat:

·         Anxiety disorders

·         Bipolar disorders

·         Depression

·         Dissociative disorder

·         Eating disorders

·         Grief

·         OCD

·         Personality disorders

·         Phobias

·         Stress

·         Substance use disorder

CAN EMDR HELP WITH OCD?

Research shows that EMDR can effectively treat people with OCD.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is traditionally used to treat OCD. By combining OCD with exposure response prevention (ERP) therapy, it helps you face triggers and manage obsessions without engaging in compulsions.

Although ERP is an effective OCD treatment, EMDR can also be beneficial.

EMDR may also be helpful for individuals who find that CBT isn’t helpful. Additionally, ERP treatment can complement EMDR. The most improvement occurred when EMDR was combined with either CBT or ERP.

WHY DOES EMDR HELP WITH OCD?

While trauma doesn’t appear to be the root cause of OCD, stress – including abuse or a traumatic event – can trigger the onset of OCD in a person who is already at risk.

OCD obsessions are often related to trauma and processing trauma can help reduce the fear at the heart of those obsessions.

In the EMDR treatment protocol for OCD, it is recommended to treat each obsession and compulsion as a current, ongoing trauma. Through this method, EMDR may help individuals process their ongoing obsessions the way it helps people process past traumas.

WHAT SYMPTOMS CAN EMDR HELP WITH?

The obsessions are intrusive thoughts that are particularly upsetting, persistent and repetitive. EMDR can reduce the intensity and frequency of those obsessions.