10 Signs You Could Benefit from EMDR

In recent years, the world has become more accepting and even more willing and able to talk about therapy for various mental health conditions. While this is amazing, there continue to be stigmas around mental health that prevent many people from seeking the help they desperately need.

Everyone in the world is unique, which is why many different forms of therapy are available. Every person has their own experiences, past histories, family histories, personalities, wants, needs, and overall goals for treatment. That’s why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to mental health.

EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, is considered a fairly new type of therapy. It was first designed to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Over time and through research, EMDR has proven to be a highly effective form of treatment for PTSD as well as other mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and even chronic pain.

But is EMDR right for you? Here are 10 signs that you could benefit from EMDR therapy.

1. You Have Trauma.

EMDR was originally designed to treat trauma. No matter if you have trauma from a singular event or a series of multiple events, EMDR can help you to work through those memories and process them so that you can fully heal and move forward in your life again.

2. Negative Beliefs are a Constant.

Traumatic experiences can leave someone feeling like they’re less than or not enough. These traumatic events can leave someone with low self-esteem and even feeling like they’re hopeless or worthless. EMDR can help individuals learn how to recognize those negative beliefs and thought patterns and work to challenge and change them.

3. You Feel Emotionally Numb.

Most of the time, trauma isn’t properly processed. Instead, it can become buried deep inside. The body and brain will even go into hyperdrive to try to protect themselves from any more perceived threats. This can make it difficult for your body and brain to function properly and to connect or express yourself truthfully. EMDR can help you reconnect with your emotions again instead of feeling like you constantly have to be in defense mode.

4. You’re Struggling with Anxiety.

EMDR has been proven to be highly effective in helping to relieve anxiety and panic attacks. When EMDR works to reprocess negative memories, you can learn how to better control your emotions moving forward.

5. Stress is Manifesting in Physical Symptoms.

When a traumatic event isn’t properly processed, it can start to show up in the form of physical signs and symptoms. This could include things like aches and pains or digestive issues. EMDR can work to help you uncover the cause of these bodily sensations to help promote emotional and physical healing.

6. Your Concentration is Suffering.

Struggling with focus and concentration is another common sign of trauma. EMDR can work to help improve mental functioning again by processing unresolved memories.

7. You’re Dealing with Flashbacks and/or Nightmares.

Flashbacks and/or nightmares can be another common occurrence with trauma. When left untreated, these can both harm one’s life. EMDR can work to help properly process these memories to reduce the frequency and intensity that they have on your present-day life.

8. You Want to Feel Better.

No one wants to continue to live with their trauma, but there’s a big difference between wanting to feel better and putting in the work to feel better. If you are searching for relief, EMDR can be a great therapy option for you.

9. Talk Therapy Didn’t Work.

Maybe you’ve tried traditional talk therapy in the past. Or maybe traditional talk therapy scares you because you don’t want to have to relive the traumatic event over and over again. EMDR can be a beneficial alternative to traditional talk therapy, especially when it comes to trauma.

10. You’re Open to Trying Something New.

EMDR is considered a relatively new type of therapy. If you’re open to trying something new, EMDR can be well-suited for you.

Next Steps

Healing is a phone call away. Reach out today to set up an initial EMDR consultation.