In life, individuals usually encounter different events. While some events may bring human beings joy, other scenarios can trigger emotional distress. Wars, accidents, and physical assaults are some of the events that can impact you psychologically. In most cases, the memories of these traumatic events continue lingering in the victims’ minds, thus holding the quality of their life hostage. For instance, individuals who survived fatal car accidents can have fear and worries when traveling using vehicles. Fortunately, the Brooklyn EMDR can help you alleviate the emotional distress caused by previous traumatic events. When seeking these treatments, you should understand the truth behind the following misconceptions concerning EMDR.
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This Therapy Is New
Although you may not have heard much about EMDR, this instance does not make this treatment new. Notably, the procedure has been there for approximately thirty years. The study in 1988 proved that EMDR effectively improves mental and behavioral concerns.
Only Individuals With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Can Benefit From This Therapy
Many people continue to believe that EMDR only helps to alleviate PTSD symptoms. This myth breeds from the fact that most early researchers conducted their works on military personnel who were experiencing PTSD from the war front trauma. However, the EMDR has effectively treated patients with other issues like depression and panic disorders.
This Therapy Is Hypnosis
The “eye movement” feature in the EMDR has left many people confusing this therapy with hypnosis. Nevertheless, EMDR has different goals from those of hypnosis. The EMDR aims to give you dual attention, implying that you will be present and aware of what happens during each stage.
On the other hand, in the hypnotic technique, you may not be conscious during the stages involved in the procedure.
EMDR Is Only Effective for the Severe Symptoms
You may think that you will seek this therapy when the symptoms of trauma start taking a toll on your life, but you are mistaken. No matter how mild the symptoms could be, any individual with trauma should seek support. EMDR is an effective tool that can help you alleviate less acute trauma.
This Therapy Is a Quick Fix
The fact that some patients can notice the improvement following the first few sessions of the EMDR therapy can make you think it is a quick fix. The reality is that this therapy does not offer a temporary solution to your mental concerns. For better results, you should stay in the course of treatment and work with your therapist.
The EMDR Will Worsen Your Symptoms
During the sessions, some patients can experience traumatic reactions such as dreams and nightmares. Fortunately, the mental therapist educates the patients on the relaxation techniques that help ease these reactions. Therefore, when anticipating this therapy, there is nothing to worry about the worsening symptoms.
Do you have the emotional distress that keeps reappearing after the previous traumatic events? You do not have to worry anymore since EMDR can help you replace those distressing thoughts with positive ones. When seeking this therapy, you should understand the above-debunked myths. For example, you should never confuse EMDR with hypnosis since they are different techniques. Also, if you think that the procedure only alleviates PTSD, you will learn that it can help improve other mental concerns like depression.
