Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic method that was developed in the late 1980s by Shapiro. EMDR is based on specific and repetitive rapid eye movements similar to those experienced naturally in rapid eye movement sleep. When the client holds in cognition the visual images, negative statements, and dis tressing feelings associated with trauma memory and engages in EMDR at the same time, a desensitization spontaneously occurs, with intensive information reprocessing leading to resolution. (J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc [1998]. 4, 140-144)
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Fogel, B., Schiffer, R., & Rao, S. (1996). Neuropsychiatry. Baltimore : Williams & Wilkins.
2.
Grainger, R.D., Levin, C., & Allen-Byrd, L. (1994, August). Treatment project to evaluate the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for survivors of a recent natural disaster. Presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Los Angeles, CA.
3.
Jensen, J.A. (1994). An investigation of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMD/R) as a treatment for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms of Vietnam combat veterans. Behavioral Therapy , 25, 311-326.
4.
McGaugh, J. (1990). Significance and remembrance: The role of neuromodulatory systems. Psychological Science, 1(1), 15-25.
5.
Nielsen, R. (1991). Affect desensitization: A possible function of REMs in both waking and sleeping states. Sleep Research, 30, 10.
6.
Pavlov, I.P. (1927) Conditioned reflexes. New York : Liveright.
7.
Shapiro, F. (1989a). Efficacy of the eye movement desensitization procedure in the treatment of traumatic memories. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 2, 199-223.
8.
Shapiro, F. (1989b). Eye movement desensitization: A new treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Behavior Therapy & Experimental Psychiatry, 20, 211-217.
9.
Shapiro, F. (1995). Eye movement desensitization & reprocessing: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures. New York: The Guilford Press.
10.
Shapiro, F. (1996). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Evaluation of controlled PTSD research. Journal of Behavior Therapy & ExperimentalPsychiatry, 27, 209-218.
11.
Solomon, R.N., & Kaufman, T. (1994, March). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: An effective addition to critical incident treatment protocols. Paper presented at the Fourteenth Annual Meeting of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, Santa Monica, CA.
12.
Wilson, S.A., Becker, L.A., & Tinker, R.H. (1995). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment for psychologically traumatized individuals. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63, 928-937.
13.
Wilson, S., Becker, L.A., & Tinker, R.H. (1997). Fifteen-month follow-up of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder and psychological trauma. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 65, 1047-1056.
