Do you struggle with an anxiety disorder? Anxiety can greatly impact our lives and affect our overall well-being. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) can help us cope with uncomfortable symptoms of anxiety and fears that other therapies may not help with.
Other counseling modalities may only address the surface, while EMDR can help with the root cause of the problem. EMDR is used to direct an individual’s eye movements to lessen overall anxiety symptoms and emotions and the severity. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy can help alleviate negative emotions in order to process our anxiety. This does not only help with psychological symptoms but body symptoms as well.
When you are anxious, does your stomach hurt or do you get headaches? This type of therapy can help with these mind and body connections of anxiety symptoms. If left untreated, anxiety can lead to depressive disorders, eating disorders, phobias, and much more. EMDR treatment length can vary among individuals.
EMDR Can Help With
- Generalized anxiety
- Panic disorder
- Performance anxiety
- Social anxiety
- Phobias
- OCD
- & More
Symptoms of high-functioning anxiety
- Overthinking
Overthinking and racing thoughts are common symptoms of anxiety. This can even be when trying to sleep at night but struggle shutting off your brain.
- Expecting the worst
Many of us expect the worst because of past experiences, this can be from past trauma creating future anxiety.
- Insomnia
Many of us with anxiety have a hard time relaxing long enough to allow our bodies to rest. If we are constantly worrying or thinking, we do not allow our minds to shut off, leading to insomnia or trouble sleeping.
- The inability to enjoy the present
When we are so used to our anxiety and symptoms it can be difficult to feel joy or happiness in the present. Our bodies can feel somewhat numb because our anxiety is telling us that we cannot enjoy the present.
- Physical body responses
- Sweaty palms
- Headaches
- Stomach aches
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Increased heart rate
- Zoning out
EMDR therapy can help improve anxiety by
- Reconnecting an individual with their emotions, images, and sensations
- Desensitize us from our triggers
- Increasing self-esteem
- Reducing symptoms
- Reducing memories
- Increasing self-image
- Increasing overall awareness
- Reducing symptoms of anxiety
- Targeting triggers without having to relive the anxiety or trauma
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy can be extremely beneficial to many individuals with a range of disorders. Many of us struggle with anxiety every day. EMDR helps to treat anxiety by reconnecting an individual with their emotions, images, and sensations causing the anxiety.
Desensitizing us from our triggers allows us to experience triggers without harsh symptoms. Overcoming anxiety takes time and does not just happen overnight. EMDR can take six to twelve sessions to see results within your anxiety and its symptoms. Everyone is different and the number of needed sessions differs.
EMDR can help lead to self-compassion, as well as compassion for others. Anxiety can be considered the most common mental illness. Without addressing your anxiety, symptoms can lead to depression over time. There are many causes to anxiety disorders, such as life events or even genetics.
EMDR can be used to de-escalate the feelings of anxiety by replacing triggers with positive alternatives. If you feel that Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy might be right for you, search for a certified counselor for help. EMDR can help you have more control over your life, health, and overall well-being.
