Are you affected by mental health issues and addiction? If so, a recovery plan that includes the appropriate mental health treatment could be most beneficial. For some people in recovery, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can assist the healing process in a meaningful way. It helps people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) process their trauma, but did you know it’s also helpful for people living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
Do you need help with your OCD symptoms during substance treatment? At Zelus Recovery, our EMDR therapy for addiction can help both teens and adults recover from various mental health issues as they complete rehab. Call us today at 208.518.0797 for more details.
EMDR for OCD – The Basics
What is EMDR? During the therapy, you perform specific eye movements while your therapist leads you through a guided discussion. Together, these two actions can help you process your thoughts and experiences in a healthier way.
OCD
If you have OCD, you may be affected by any combination of obsessions and compulsive behaviors. Common obsessions include such things as:
- Fear of being contaminated with or by something
- Thoughts of aggression directed toward yourself or someone else
- Fear of a loss of self-control
- A need for symmetry or order in your surroundings
- Intrusive thoughts regarding taboo subjects
Compulsions are involuntary behaviors you carry out repetitively. They often serve as direct responses to your obsessions.
What’s The Logic Behind Using EMDR for OCD Symptoms?
If EMDR is a PTSD treatment, why would it benefit someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder? As it turns out, the roots of PTSD and OCD may be more similar than once thought.
PTSD is known for its origin in highly traumatic events. However, it’s not the only currently recognized trauma-related illness. What’s more, trauma may play a significant role in the development of some unexpected conditions. That includes OCD.
Many people living with OCD can link the start of their symptoms to a highly stressful event. These events aren’t always the same as those associated with PTSD. Nevertheless, they may trigger trauma-related responses. For this reason, EMDR for OCD might make very good sense.
Does EMDR Work for OCD?
What does the research say about the effectiveness of using EMDR for OCD recovery? First, the treatment appears to work for at least some affected individuals. Specifically, it can help limit the number of obsessive thoughts you experience. It can also make the obsessive thoughts you do experience feel less intense.
How well does EMDR for OCD work? Some studies show that it produces greater benefits than medications called SSRIs. That’s important because SSRIs are frontline options for OCD treatment. In addition, EMDR:
- It may work as well as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the top OCD therapy option.
- It could help people who don’t respond well to CBT.
- It may work better in combination with CBT than CBT does alone.
Facts like these help explain the growing use of EMDR in OCD treatment programs.
Enroll in EDMR Therapy for Addiction Today at Zelus Recovery
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a PTSD treatment sometimes used in OCD recovery. How does EMDR for OCD work? Studies show that the therapy can help reduce obsessive thinking and make it less intense. EMDR in OCD treatment may be just as effective as commonly used medication and therapy.
Want to know more about EMDR and OCD recovery? The professionals at Zelus Recovery are standing by with the information you need. We offer a range of options for people in substance recovery who are also dealing with other mental health issues. Depending on your situation, that may include EMDR for OCD. Call us today at 208.518.0797 to find out more. You can also reach us online. A brighter, happier future is possible.
