GRIEVING: KNOW THE THERAPY THAT CAN HELP YOU
We have all lost someone — we know what it feels like. Dealing with this loss is a painful path; some resort to a psychologist, naturopathic therapies, or other methods.
Due to how complicated it is to face grief, we want to tell you about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which can help you cope.
Grief can reach a point that causes a break in work, academic, or social life. There are four levels at which grief can affect us: emotionally, physically, cognitively, and behaviorally. Where some of the symptoms are: sadness, anger, tiredness, a feeling of emptiness, obsessive thoughts, disbelief, as well as apathy, and social isolation.
If a person reaches this point of conflict after suffering a loss, they will need help to process it, even a funeral ceremony can help.
What is EMDR?
Desensitization and Reprocessing through Eye Movements or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) was discovered in 1987 by Francine Shapiro, an American psychologist, who found that voluntary eye movements could reduce or eliminate the discomfort of negative feelings.
The therapist in charge guides the process — the goal is for the patient to process the trauma, in this case, the loss of a loved one, which will lead to an adaptation resolution, that is, to adapt to the situation. Meaning a decrease in symptoms and the possibility of functioning better in daily life.
Depending on the patient, one of three techniques will be used: horizontal eye movements, tapping, or auditory stimulation. During the session, the patient is asked to tell what has happened. It should be noted that a fundamental part of the process is that the patient trusts the therapy — only then will the pain gradually decrease.
The three techniques of EMDR
Horizontal saccadic eye movements are a set of movements that the therapist makes with the fingers in the patient's visual field. The patient follows the therapist's fingers with his eyes without moving his head and performs a total of up to 40 movements in each performance. This technique is the one that usually works best in patients.
Bilateral auditory stimulation is the technique that uses bilateralized tones or music that is listened to with headphones. Bilateralized music alternates different sounds in the left and right ears, stimulating both brain hemispheres alternately and enhancing brain activity. The therapist controls the sounds, speed, and intensity.
Tapping consists of the therapist gently tapping the patient's knees alternating between right and left, also alternating with taps on the hands, which are resting on the knees.
Grief can be a trauma that requires this therapy, but it will depend on the patient which technique will be better for them. The therapist will decide which one fits best, and although eye movements are usually the most successful technique, it may be in other cases, another is required.
In addition, this type of therapy can be combined with other techniques, making it more effective and thus better adapted to the needs of patients.
EMDR Phases
Phase 1 - Past: During this phase, the facts, experiences, or memories that have contributed to the symptoms are collected.
Phase 2 - Present: Here are the stimuli from people, smells, situations, colors, or even flavors, that activate the symptoms.
Phase 3 - Future: Finally, the patient is prepared so that in future situations, he can face problems without fear, have greater self-esteem and self-confidence, or be able to face problems more easily.
Losing a loved one is extremely painful, sometimes causing problems in our health. So it is important that if we find ourselves in this situation, we seek professional help as soon as possible.
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