Jenny Rasmussen
SWK 100
Even though, the investigations on the subject of inevitability of the component of eye movement is indecisive currently, “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)” is a psycho-therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which has obtained substantial pragmatic legalization (Carlson et al,1998). Though, regardless of the experimental corroboration, perplexity is still present in the prose on the subject of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. This therapeutic strategy was determined by Dr. Francine Shapiro, a psychologist, in 1987, while walking in a garden. Shapiro noted the bilateral eye movement when remembering a traumatic experience, this processes mimics rapid eye movement (REM) during sleep with vivid dreams and has the effect of reducing stress to extinction. In essence, the technique of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is employed by using natural ability of healing the human psyche. This psychotherapeutic method includes eight stages and can be used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder, psychosomatic illnesses caused by stress, depression and anxiety disorders. It is contraindicated for patients with cardiac and respiratory disorders, eye diseases, and epilepsy. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a curative practice wherein the sufferer stirs his eyes forward and backward, in all directions, whereas paying concentration to the dilemma. The psychotherapist wields a stick or beam of light watched by the client and he ought to go behind the stick or light beam that is moving along before his eyes. It has been argued that EMDR is capable of helping in dealing with irrational fears, paranoid schizophrenia, and generalized anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, learning disabilities, and pathological envy (Lilienfeld, 1996), but the most important function of this technique has been dealing with PTSD. Nobody has
References: Herbert, J., Lilienfeld, S., Lohr, J.,Montgomery, R. W., O’Donohue, W., Rosen, G., et al. (2000). Science and pseudoscience in the development of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Implications for clinical psychology. Clinical Psychology Review,20,pp. 945-971. Lilienfeld, Scott O. (1996). “EMDR Treatment: Less Than Meets the Eye? “Skeptical Inquirer. Data retrieved from www.skepdic.com Thorp, S. (2004,Mar). Book review: Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology. Journal Of Psychosomatic Research, 56(3),pp.381-381.