Is EMDR Therapy For OCD Effective?

OCD is a mental health disorder that can make it difficult to function in daily life. Many people with OCD go through different types of therapies and treatments to manage their symptoms. 

One common therapy used for OCD is called eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a psychotherapy treatment that aims to help clients process traumatic events and memories. Since trauma is one possible cause of OCD, many rehab facilities and therapists incorporate EMDR therapy in OCD treatment.  

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessive-Compulsive disorder is when a person struggles with persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions). The constant presence of obsessions and compulsions makes it hard for a person with OCD to go about their lives. 

People who struggle with obsessions have unwanted thoughts that consistently get in the way of their well-being. They may fear something is contaminated or be scared that they forgot something, like locking the door or unplugging their appliances. 

On the other hand, those with compulsions feel the need to do certain behaviours or mental routines to feel at ease. Compulsions are a response to obsessions and are usually unnecessary. If a person with OCD doesn’t perform these obsessions, they will feel extreme anxiety or distress. 

While there is no one cause of OCD, it is commonly attributed to changes in the brain structure. Genetics and environmental stressors may also play a part in the development of OCD. 

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy helps process traumatic and distressing moments in a person’s life. It is commonly used for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it has been slowly introduced as a treatment for other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and OCD.

EMDR works by following a back-and-forth eye movement pattern or using other forms of bilateral stimulation. This is based on the concept that bilateral stimulation can facilitate natural healing processes in the brain. 

For instance, bilateral stimulation is a good instrument to reduce emotional distress. It engages both hemispheres of the brain, allowing a person to reprocess traumatic events without feeling re-traumatised. This provides a better avenue for people to experience emotional relief and improved mental well-being. 

Can EMDR Help With OCD?

Many therapists and mental health facilities integrate EMDR into their treatment programmes for OCD. While EMDR isn’t always the first line of treatment for OCD, it works well as a complementary therapy for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). 

CBT is an evidence-based therapy that helps clients identify negative thoughts or behaviours. Working with a therapist can help create healthy coping strategies to overcome these tendencies. ERP is a gradual exposure to situations that evoke obsessions. It happens in a safe environment where a trained therapist develops a plan for exposure.

Using EMDR as a complementary therapy for CBT and ERP can help improve symptoms of OCD. When a person has OCD, they usually have an intense fear or anxiety that may have been triggered by memories of past traumatic events. EMDR can help address these traumas that intensify obsessions and compulsions. It is also a therapy that helps clients face triggers without turning to compulsive behaviours. 

What Symptoms Of OCD Can EMDR Help With?

EMDR can help with the following OCD symptoms:

• Trauma-Related Obsessive Thoughts: When a person tends to repeatedly think about the same things due to a traumatic event, EMDR can help. The therapy can address these symptoms by reprocessing the memories. 
• Anxious Thoughts: EMDR can also help target the underlying causes of anxiety that contribute to OCD by reducing the severity of anxious thoughts. 
• Fear of Failure: During EMDR, clients learn to challenge negative beliefs and replace them with more realistic ones.
• Co-Occurring Conditions: EMDR can improve and help improve the symptoms of mental health conditions that co-occur with OCD. These conditions may include depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Is EMDR As A Treatment A Safe Practice?

Yes, EMDR is considered a safe and effective treatment. Clients are always in control during EMDR – there is no hypnosis or trance-like state involved.

However, this therapy must be performed by a licensed and trained professional. The therapy follows a standardised protocol, and training is required to prevent any strong emotional distress from happening during treatment. 

Additionally, EMDR doesn’t rely on any medications to be effective. This means that the possibility of side effects from medication is eliminated. The treatment focuses on bilateral stimulation, and therapy sessions can be spaced out in case a client feels overwhelmed. 

While EMDR isn’t harmful, some people may experience a few side effects while going through treatment. For instance, a few patients report emotional sensitivity and more vivid dreams. These are typically normal side effects of receiving therapy. Intense side effects must be reported to the therapist so they can be addressed properly. 

What Evidence For EMDR As Treatment For OCD Is Effective?

Different researches have shown the effectiveness of EMDR in treating OCD. One research observed how EMDR and CBT affect the symptoms of OCD before, after, and 6 months after treatment.

About 62% of people finished treatment, and 30% had significant improvement in their OCD symptoms. The study showed that there was no significant difference between EMDR and CBT, which means both treatments seem to work equally well for OCD.

Another reason why EMDR can be regarded as effective is because it requires less “effort” from the patient. Unlike in CBT and other evidence-based therapies, a client must be fully committed to any homework between sessions. 

How Long Does EMDR For OCD Last?

EMDR sessions usually last between 60 and 90 minutes. During the treatment, therapists will ask clients to focus on a specific traumatic memory or negative thought. Clients must describe the memory in detail, including images, negative beliefs, emotions, and physical sensations.

While the client focuses on the memory, the therapist will guide their eyes back and forth with their fingers. The therapist will also help shift the client’s thoughts to a more positive perspective. This helps the brain process the memory in a new way.

While multiple EMDR sessions over a few weeks or months can prove effective for OCD, there will still be varying factors that determine the length of treatment. These factors may include:

• Severity of OCD symptoms
• Complexity of underlying trauma
• Presence of other mental health conditions
• Response to treatment

OCD Treatment

OCD treatment at a rehab facility will involve going to different therapies, depending on the client’s treatment plan. 

EMDR Protocol

EMDR follows a structured eight-phase protocol to process unresolved trauma. The eight phases of the EMDR protocol are:

1.  History Taking and Treatment Planning: A patient’s medical history and symptoms are gathered. Clients will also talk about their treatment goals with the therapist.
2. Preparation: This includes grounding and coping techniques. Client concerns are also addressed during this phase. 
3. Assessment: The event or memory identified as targets to be processed during EMDR. 
4. Desensitisation: Therapists will use bilateral stimulation to reprocess the emotional impact of distressing memories. 
5. Installation: This includes associating and reinforcing a positive belief to replace the negative thoughts associated with the memory. 
6. Body scan: While holding the memory in mind, the therapist will check for residual tension or distress in the client’s body. 
7. Closure: Clients will be assisted to return to a stable and calm state through grounding exercises. 
8. Reevaluation: At the beginning of a new session, the therapist and client will discuss progress from the previous session. 

Protocol for OCD Treatment

All treatment options for OCD will start with an initial assessment and diagnosis. A comprehensive evaluation of the client’s symptoms will be conducted.

The most common therapies used for OCD are CBT and ERP. When using EMDR to treat OCD, therapists will need to identify the client’s obsessions and compulsions. Therapists will fully explain how these therapies work before starting them. 

How to Choose a Therapist for OCD

Choosing a therapist for OCD requires looking at their credentials and expertise. It’s important to find a therapist that provides therapies aligned with a client’s conditions and goals. For instance, if a client is looking for OCD treatment, experience in CBT and ERP is a must since these therapies are considered to be the standard treatment for OCD. 

Referrals and recommendations can also help patients look for a trusted therapist. Many healthcare providers can refer their patients to therapists providing OCD treatment. Online reviews also offer a brief insight into what it’s like to receive treatment from a certain therapist or facility. 

How to Choose an EMDR Therapist

Just like choosing a therapist for OCD, looking for an EMDR therapist requires careful consideration. EMDR certifications are a must when looking for a therapist – they should have the proper training and certifications. Organisations like the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) provide certification for EMDR therapists. 

How to Help Someone With OCD

OCD can be difficult to manage without the proper help. Professionals can provide the right treatment and therapies to help overcome this disorder.

At Sierra Recovery, we offer effective treatment for OCD and other mental health conditions. Our professional team will assess your symptoms and health history to create a personalised treatment plan fit for your needs. Contact us today to know more.