Stages & Benefits Of EMDR Therapy For Eating Disorders

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a relatively new psychotherapy method developed in the 1980s. Multiple mental illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and addiction, have benefited from its application. Eating disorders have been treated using EMDR therapy in recent years. This blog will provide an overview of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and its possible advantages in treating eating disorders.

Overview Of EMDR Therapy

Francine Shapiro, a psychologist, created EMDR treatment after realizing that specific eye movements mitigate upsetting mental recollections and contemplations. EMDR is a systematic treatment that progresses through eight stages. These stages are meant to aid in the individual’s processing of traumatic memories and other destructive events that may exacerbate their mental health problems.

EMDR Treatment Consists Of Eight Stages:

• History and Treatment Planning – The therapist learns about the client’s background and develops a therapy strategy accordingly.
• Preparation – The therapist instructs the patient in methods of self-soothing and relaxation to assist them in dealing with emotional turmoil.
• Assessment – The therapist pinpoints the exact moments or situations triggering the patient’s mental health issues.
• Desensitization – To aid with processing traumatic memories or events, the therapist may use bilateral stimulation (including eye movements, tapping, or noises).
• Installation – The therapist aids the patient in replacing destructive internal dialogue with more constructive, optimistic thought patterns.
• Body Scan – The therapist assists the patient in recognizing and letting go of any somatic symptoms connected to the traumatic memories or events.
• Closure – Before finishing a session, the therapist makes sure the patient is feeling safe and secure.
• Revaluation – The therapist monitors the patient’s development and modifies the program as needed.

Sessions of EMDR treatment typically last between sixty and ninety minutes, and the total number of sessions necessary is based on the individual’s unique requirements and the severity of their symptoms.

EMDR Therapy And Eating Disorders

Many people with eating disorders have skewed perceptions of how they should look and feel about their relationship with food. The untreated nature of these conditions may lead to detrimental physical and mental health effects. Evidence-based therapies for eating disorders include cognitive-behavioral therapy and family-based therapy. Still, a novel technique, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), is gaining favour among mental health experts.

Eating disorders may be treated with EMDR treatment by focusing on the traumatic or unpleasant events at the root of the disordered eating. For instance, many people with eating disorders have a history of childhood trauma, such as physical or sexual abuse, bullying, or self-loathing. Disordered eating habits may emerge as a response to the shame, remorse, and poor self-worth resulting from these events.

Individuals who use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to work through their traumatic experiences report improved self-esteem and decreased use of disordered food as a coping strategy. Also, the individual’s negative beliefs and self-talk that may fuel their eating disorder can be identified and challenged through EMDR therapy.

Potential Benefits Of EMDR Therapy For Eating Disorders

1. Addressing underlying traumas:

When traumatic or upsetting experiences are at the foundation of an eating issue, EMDR therapy may be helpful for the patient. Treating these traumatic experiences may help people feel better about themselves and lessen the need for disordered eating.

2. Challenging negative beliefs and self-talk:

An individual’s negative thoughts about food and eating may be addressed in EMDR treatment. A person with anorexia nervosa, for instance, may place too much importance on their weight or looks. Through EMDR therapy, one can learn to question and replace such a belief with constructive self-talk.

3. Improving body image and self-esteem:

Studies have indicated that EMDR treatment may help people with eating problems feel better about themselves and their bodies. A healthier perspective on oneself might have a protective effect on disordered eating.

4. Reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety:

People with a wide range of mental health issues have found relief from their depressive and anxious symptoms with EMDR treatment. Reducing these symptoms may make it easier for the person to cope with their eating issue.

Limitations Of EMDR Therapy For Eating Disorders

1. Limited research:

While EMDR therapy has shown some positive results in treating eating disorders, more study is required to understand its effectiveness and potential limitations fully.

2. Not a stand-alone treatment:

Eating problems cannot be treated with EMDR therapy alone. Couple it with other effective medicines, including CBT or family therapy.

3. Not suitable for everyone:

It’s possible that not everyone who struggles with anorexia may benefit from EMDR treatment. For instance, involvement in disordered eating practices may make a person too emotionally vulnerable to undergo EMDR treatment.

Conclusion

Eating disorders have a good chance of improvement with EMDR therapy. EMDR treatment may aid in the recovery from disordered eating by helping patients improve their sense of self-worth and eliminate limiting attitudes about themselves. Individuals with eating disorders may benefit from EMDR therapy as an adjunctive treatment, while further study is required to determine its efficacy and limits.

It is important that you talk with your psychotherapist about any issues you have so that you can gain some clarity and move on with improved perspective. If you want to contact one, visit https://psychotherapypartnersmn.com/