Anxiety is one of the most common responses to unresolved trauma. Even after past events have passed, the nervous system can remain on high alert, triggering feelings of fear, emotions, and uncertainty. Traditional therapies can be effective, but some individuals find that their anxiety persists despite their best efforts.

EMDR (Eye Movement Densensitisation and Reprocessing) offers a different approach and helps people process and heal from traumatic experiences or distressing memories. EMDR helps reframe the memories and reduces their negative effect on thoughts, feelings, and behaviour.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the process of EMDR and how it helps reduce anxiety from past traumatic experiences.

What is EMDR?

EMDR is a structured and therapeutic approach that helps individuals process and heal from traumatic or distressing life experiences. Developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro, this therapy is not only known for treating post traumatic experiences, but it’s used to process anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.

The best part of this therapy is that its main focus is on the brain’s natural healing process. The therapist guides the client through a series of eye movements while the individual calls a troubling or distressing memory. This helps the brain unstick the memory from its emotionally charged state, allowing the mind to process thoughts in a more adaptive and less distressing way.

This is a proven therapy to regain control over your emotional responses and past experiences. It rewires the brain and leads to a significant reduction in anxiety and depression.

Working of EMDR

Below is the step-by-step guide to the whole EMDR therapy.

Assessment

A therapist identifies the specific memories, thoughts, emotions, actions, and physical sensations related to your anxiety and trauma.

Preparation

An individual is introduced to the EMDR process and taught coping strategies to help manage any emotional distress during or between sessions.

Desensitisation

While focusing on distressed memory, the therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation. This helps reduce the intensity of emotions and body sensations connected to the event.

Reprocessing

Positive belief is reinforced through bilateral stimulation, helping the brain reframe the memory more healthily.

Body Scan

An individual mentally scans his body for any lasting physical tension or discomfort. If anything remains, it’s addressed with continued EMDR processing until your body feels at ease.

Closure

The therapist has a check and ensures an individual feels calm before you leave the session.

Over time, many individuals find that the memory no longer carries the same emotional weight, and their anxiety symptoms lessen or even disappear.

How Trauma Gets Stuck in the Brain?

When an individual experiences something traumatic, the brain and body both go into survival mode, prioritising immediate safety over any practical processing.
When logical thinking goes off, the fear centre of the mind becomes hyperactive (the amygdala)
Memories may not be stored like typical memories with a clear timeline and emotional resolution; instead, they are remembered in the form of images, sounds, smells, body sensations, and emotions.
These emotions are stored in the brain’s emotional memory and can be easily triggered in similar situations experienced before.
When suddenly it gets triggered, the brain reacts as if trauma is happening again, leading to symptoms of sudden anxiety, panic attacks, and emotional numbness.
This trauma doesn’t fade over time like regular memories and remains emotionally charged or unresolved.

Conditions and Problems Commonly Treated in EDMR

EMDR was originally developed for post-traumatic disorder, but over time, it has shown effectiveness over a wide range of mental health issues.

Trauma-related disorders

Complex PTSD
Post-traumatic disorder
Childhood trauma and abuse
Sexual and physical abuse
Medical trauma

Anxiety disorders

Panic disorder
Social anxiety
Phobias

Depressive disorder

Depression related to trauma
Low self-esteem or negative self-belief
Grief or sorrow

Mental health concerns

Performance anxiety
Obsessive thoughts
Addictions and cravings

Is EMDR Right for You?

EMDR is a powerful and transformative therapy, but it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. You must benefit from EMDR if:

You’ve experienced a traumatic event that still feels emotionally intense
You find yourself easily triggered by certain sounds, places, people, or situations
You’ve tried talk therapy but feel stuck or unable to move past certain memories
You’ve suffered from anxiety, panic, or phobias that seem to have no clear cause
You struggle with negative self belief
You’ve experienced chronic stress, relationship stress, or ongoing emotional pain

Final Thoughts

Anxiety indulged with past trauma can feel overwhelming or confusing, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. EMDR helps an individual gently relieve the brain with healing, reprocessing and letting go. Whether you’ve experienced a single distressing event or carry the weight of unresolved pain, EMDR offers relief and clarity by resolving the distressing traumas.

If you want to be relieved from past traumas and anxiety or are considering EDMR, expert help is needed. Dr Kavita Deepak-Knights is a highly experienced Clinical Psychologist in Windsor, Berkshire. With over 20 years of experience, she specialises in various therapeutic approaches, including CBT, ACT, and EMDR. Through Matters of the Mind, she offers personalised psychological therapies tailored to individual needs while addressing a wide range of mental health issues.

Help is available, and you must take the first step towards healing.

Heal your past traumas with the right support

Connect with Dr Kavita Deepak-Knights

How EMDR Can Help Reduce Anxiety from Past Trauma