New Hope for Trauma Victims

Published in the Ithaca Times, Ithaca NY, October, 1996

Trauma. Even the word shocks, jars a little. But most of us have some. Who hasn't been in a car accident, a house fire, lost a loved one, been assaulted? Not to mention child abuse, rape, war... These are the adverse life experiences that are supposed to make us stronger. Supposed to - but it's not automatic. We become stronger not merely by having a bad experience, but by mastering it. Some people can accomplish this on their own over time, while others may need months or even years of therapy. The important thing is to face it head on, work through the emotions, and get through it. To the other side, where life is good again.

Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way. A traumatic event can feel so overwhelming that we are tempted to push it aside, try to "forget about it." Although this strategy may provide temporary relief, nothing has really changed inside. The images, thoughts, and feelings related to the trauma remain vivid and powerful. This can lead to post-traumatic symptoms, including stress, anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts and images, guilt, anger, apathy, and nightmares. Many experts believe that the vast majority of mental health problems are caused by trauma that has not been effectively worked through.

Although not everyone who is traumatized develops a full-blown post-traumatic stress syndrome, many people notice changes they don't like. This can be an indicator that the traumatic memory did not get worked through, but is stuck. Without treatment, this condition can last indefinitely. In fact, even with treatment, symptoms may not completely abate. Many trauma victims are told that they have to learn to live with their haunting memories.

Now for the good news. There is a new psychotherapy method that helps people to work through a traumatic memory very quickly, often in one or two sessions! (I didn't believe it either, at first.) This method is called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). To oversimplify, it involves having the patient concentrate on the upsetting memory while moving his or her eyes back and forth (by following the therapist's moving hand). This eye movement, which may be related to the REM sleep associated with dreaming, seems to concentrate the effects of therapy so that people can work through the memory much more quickly. The session may be very intense and emotionally painful, but it can also be extraordinarily effective.

I wish I could say, "you heard it here first," but EMDR has already been featured on Morning Edition, 20/20, in Newsweek, the New York Times, and USA Today. It's a major breakthrough, mental health's equivalent of penicillin. Since it is less than ten years old, it is still controversial - but EMDR's effectiveness is already supported by more controlled studies than any other non-drug treatment for trauma. About 15,000 therapists worldwide have been trained to use EMDR, and it is the favored method at many VA centers and other trauma treatment programs.

It's impossible to guess how important EMDR might become. For example, we just finished the first controlled study using EMDR with traumatized children and adolescents (yes, it works for them, too). Of course, more studies need to be done, but meanwhile hundreds of therapists are using EMDR with children, and reporting success. Can we afford to treat every traumatized child with EMDR? (Can we afford not to?) What effect might that have on their behavior, schoolwork, relationships? Can EMDR make the world a better place?

I think so. In fact, my experience in using EMDR has been so positive that I've become a bit of a missionary. I've lectured on EMDR around the country, written articles for professional journals, and am working on my second book. I also offer EMDR training, so that more therapists in the area can become qualified to provide it. Because I think that EMDR really can make a difference.

EMDR does not replace psychotherapy; it is one tool among many, to be used by a skilled therapist when it looks like the right tool for the job. Because EMDR is a rather complex "power tool," therapists who use it should have formal, supervised training in the method. Fortunately, more and more therapists are getting trained, as compelling research findings continue to be reported.

If you think EMDR might be helpful for you, remember that it is important to work with a therapist who you can trust to do a good job with you. And if you thought you were stuck with a lifelong wound because of a past trauma or loss - think again. Maybe it doesn't have to be that way.

Ricky Greenwald, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist and Director of the Child Trauma Institute. More information about EMDR training or treatment is available at www.childtrauma.com.