So basically, adverse events can affect the information processing system in the the brain to store the memory in a dysfunctional way. Like the body, the brain is wired to attempt to heal itself, but due to the traumatic nature of the event, the brain misfired and stored the memory incorrectly. Flashbacks may be the brain trying to process it, but it’s blocked from effectively doing so because it was stored incorrectly at the time, and when it resurfaces, the person’s sympathetic nervous system is kicked into gear again, shutting down the other hemisphere necessary to process it. Traumatic experiences effect the way that memories are stored in the moment and processed later https://psychcentral.com/blog/how-stress-affects-your-memory#1 When we experience a threat, the amygdala sets off an alarm which puts the nervous system and body into fight or flight mode. This system exposes the brain and body to high levels of circulating stress hormones. Research has shown that high levels of stress hormones over time can damage the hippocampus (it actually shrinks). This reduces its ability to encode and form memories. Additionally, during times of stress, the amygdala will inhibit the activity of the prefrontal cortex. From a biological perspective, this is useful in keeping us alive. Energy and resources are pulled away from higher thought and reasoning (the prefrontal cortex) and re-directed to bodily systems needed to preserve our physical safety. A chronically activated nervous system actually reduces our ability to function and, over time, damages certain structures in our brain. Basics of EDMR: Summary of Francine’s theory: https://www.emdr.com/theory/ https://www.emdr.com/frequent-questions/ what does research show about neurobiological aspects of EMDR therapy Breaks down the brain part: EMDR Therapy: Breaking Down the Barriers – really good summary and thing about brain hemispheres: Most individuals wonder what actually occurs in a typical EMDR session. There are eights phases of treatment and the initial one focuses on taking a thorough client history followed by a preparation stage. In the Rapid Eye Movement portion, the client focuses on a troubling memory and identifies the belief he has about himself connected to this negative memory (for example, in dealing with a rape, the person may believe “I am dirty”). The individual then formulates a positive belief that he would like to have about himself (“I am a worthwhile and good person in control of my life.”). All the physical sensations and emotions that accompany the memory are identified. The individual then goes over the memory while focusing on an external stimulus that creates bilateral (side to side) eye movement. This is most often achieved by watching the therapist moving a finger. After each set of bilateral movements, the individual is asked how he feels. This process continues until the memory is no longer disturbing. The individual is processing the trauma with both hemispheres of the brain stimulated. The chosen positive belief is then installed, via bilateral movement, to replace the negative one. Each session normally lasts for about one hour. It is believed that EMDR works because the “bilateral stimulation” by-passes the area of the brain that has become stuck due to the trauma and is preventing the left side of the brain from self-soothing the right side of the brain. During this procedure, clients tend to “process” the memory in a way that leads to a peaceful resolution. This often results in increased insight regarding both previously disturbing events and long-held negative thoughts about the self that have grown out of the original traumatic event. For example, an assault victim may come to realize that he was not to blame for what happened, he is now safe, that the event is really over, and, as a result, he can regain a general sense of safety in his world. But maybe you don’t necessarily need bilateral stimulation, you just need to tax the memory?: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.5127/jep.028212How does EMDR work? Marcel A. van den Hout, Iris M. Engelhard Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands Abstract Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for alleviating trauma symptoms, and the positive effects of this treatment have been scientifically confirmed under well- controlled conditions. This has provided an opportunity to explore how EMDR works. The present paper reports on the findings of a long series of experiments that disproved the hypothesis that eye movements or other ‘dual tasks’ are unnecessary. These experiments also disproved the idea that ‘bilateral stimulation’ is needed; moving the eyes up and down produces the same effect as horizontal eye movement, and so do tasks that require no eye movement at all. However, it is important that the dual task taxes working memory. Several predictions can be derived from the working memory explanation for eye movements in EMDR. These seem to hold up extremely well in critical experimental tests, and create a solid explanation on how eye movements work. This paper discusses the implications that this theory and the empirical findings may have for the EMDR technique. https://centerfordiscovery.com/understanding-actually-happens-emdr-therapy/ blog about how to use it for complex PTSD EMDR Therapy for Complex PTSD-Dr. Arielle Schwartz https://drarielleschwartz.com/emdr-therapy-for-complex-ptsd-dr-arielleschwartz/#.YNPYYi1h33U clinician and laypeople article: https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/ extremely simplified blog: Adapting EMDR for Treating Complex PTSD Symptoms https://michaelgquirke.com/adapting-emdr-for-treating-complex-ptsd-symptoms/ Why Use EMDR with Complex Trauma and PTSD? https://michaelgquirke.com/emdr-for-ptsd-and-complex-trauma-symptoms/ How Does EMDR Affect the Brain? Research has found that during EMDR sessions the brain is more active. The specific areas of the brain that are in this active state include the prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex. This is important because: The prefrontal cortex is responsible for planning, organizing, focusing, personality, and impulse control. The orbitofrontal cortex controls your emotions and how you interact with other people. The anterior cingulate cortex also works to regulate impulse control, as well as empathy and judgment Good background info 1: What Is EMDR Therapy? https://www.verywellmind.com/emdr-for-panic-disorder-2584292 Benefits of EMDR The benefits of EMDR extend beyond PTSD and trauma resolution. Some potential benefits of this therapeutic approach include: Changes negative thinking. EMDR can help you identify, challenge, and even change the negative thoughts cluttering your mind. Decreases chronic pain. Research shows that bilateral stimulation activates the region of the brain associated with relaxation and comfortable feelings.4 Improves self-esteem. EMDR works by targeting distressing memories and negative thoughts associated with yourself. By identifying them, you learn how to process and heal from them. Requires minimal talking. In EMDR, you don't have to divulge every detail of your painful experience like you would in talk therapy. This makes EMDR is particularly useful for people who have difficulty talking about their trauma. Yields fast results. EMDR is classified as a brief-psychotherapy. While everyone's journey is different, 80% to 90% of people report positive results within their first three sessions.5 *****Things to consider EMDR is considered safe with relatively few side effects.6 Though it can be effective, there are some possible pitfalls of this approach: Heightened awareness. You might experience a high level of emotion or physical sensation that lasts beyond your therapy session. Some people report experiencing unpleasant dreams while they begin to reprocess traumatic events. May impact positive memories. Just as bilateral stimulation can lower the intensity of painful experiences, it may also render positive memories less pleasant.8 Potential for retraumatization. If EMDR is not used appropriately, it can leave people might feel retraumatized or immobilized. Requires multiple sessions. It may take a while to see positive effects. For some, this may become a financial barrier. Thinking about traumatic events can be distressing, particularly at the outset of therapy. Work with your therapist to find ways to cope with your feelings as you go forward with therapy. Good background info 2: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing The year it was first tried, who else it helps: https://www.verywellmind.com/emdr-meaning-and-treatment-2797295 Traumatic Stress: Effects on the Brain https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181836/ The Role of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in Medicine: Addressing the Psychological and Physical Symptoms Stemming from Adverse Life Experiences https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3951033/ The biology of trauma - implications for treatment https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8111274_The_Biology_of_Trauma_Implications_for _Treatment The Efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in Children and Adults Who Have Experienced Complex Childhood Trauma: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials (it seems to work for complex trauma as well as PTSD) https://go-galecom.proxy.wexler.hunter.cuny.edu/ps/i.do?p=HWRC&u=cuny_hunter&id=GALE%7CA53423857 5&v=2.1&it=r [from an older article and have pdf] Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EDMR) Treatment for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder https://link-springercom.proxy.wexler.hunter.cuny.edu/content/pdf/10.1023/A:1024448814268.pdf or https://link-springer-com.proxy.wexler.hunter.cuny.edu/article/10.1023/A:1024448814268 EMDR and the Treatment of Complex PTSD: A Review [have pdf] https://connect.springerpub.com/content/sgremdr/3/4/264.full.pdf https://connect.springerpub.com/content/sgremdr/3/4/264 EMDR toolbox: https://connect.springerpub.com/content/book/978-0-8261-7256-3 Ways EDMR positively changes the brain long term. Two MRI studies reported that successful EMDR therapy led to anatomical changes in the amygdala and hippocampus, indicating the reversal of the trend toward atrophy of these structures under stressful con ditions (Laugharne et al., 2016; Bossini et al., 2011, 2017). Other struc tural analyses found that EMDR resulted in a change in brain network topology in the parahippocampal gyrus (Bossini et al., 2017; Jung et al., 2016) and thalamus (Bossini et al., 2017), possibly increasing communica tion between subcortical and cortical structures, and facilitating trauma processing and symptoms disappearance (Jung, Chang, & Kim, 2016). Sources: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trauma
