Depression can be difficult to treat. A client may work with a mental health professional for months to find the right combination of therapies to relieve their symptoms. Fortunately, EMDR therapy is bringing new hope to people with treatment-resistant depression.
EMDR therapy for depression may be recommended as a stand-alone treatment or as part of a comprehensive plan. Contact Promises at 844.875.5609 to learn if EMDR can help you.
What Are the Signs of Depression?
Everyone feels down once in a while, but depression is more than an occasional case of the blues. Medical experts have developed specific criteria to help doctors diagnose depressive disorders. Doctors may also order lab tests to rule out other conditions, such as thyroid disorders or vitamin D deficiencies.
Additionally, the signs of depression may be confused with those of other mental health concerns, such as bipolar I and II or dementia. That’s why it’s vital to undergo a complete health evaluation before starting any type of treatment for depression.
The exact symptoms a person experiences depend on the type of depression they have and their overall health. Some of the most common signs of depression include:
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Slowed speaking or thinking
- Anger and irritability over small issues
- Changes in sleeping patterns, whether sleeping too much or too little
- Trouble focusing and fuzzy thinking
- Poor memory
- Changes in eating habits, whether eating too much or too little
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- Reduced interest in sex
- Aches, pains, and headaches
- Chronic fatigue
Frequent thoughts about death and thoughts of suicide are life-threatening symptoms. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, get help immediately. Call 911 for emergency services or 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Stay with the person until help arrives.
EMDR and Depression
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based intervention that is used to treat trauma disorders and other mental health conditions, including depression.
The goal of EMDR is to target the memories, triggers, or underlying life experiences that are related to a client’s symptoms. The therapy activates the body’s natural healing networks to reset the nervous system and return it to a state of balance.
Some types of depression EMDR can be effective in treating include:
- Depression from grief
- Reactive depression
- Major depressive disorder
- PTSD that co-occurs with depression
EMDR can be effective for treating depression because it helps clients identify the negative thoughts that trigger their symptoms. Once these thoughts are identified and reprocessed, the client may find relief. This well-researched treatment has been shown to be effective in clinical trials.
What to Expect From EMDR
EMDR is not hypnosis, nor is it like traditional talk therapy. A treatment program consists of eight phases that begin with a discussion between the therapist and the client. Once the goals for the session are clear (phase one) and the therapist explains the process (phase two), the active portion of the treatment can begin.
Phase three involves assessing the event or memory that will be processed. Phase four is the desensitization process, which includes movements, tapping, or sounds. Finally, phase five is referred to as “installation”; the client installs a new positive belief associated with the target event.
Each session ends with phase seven or closure, and each new session begins with phase eight, a reevaluation of the process so far.
Schedule an Appointment for EMDR Therapy at Promises
Depression can be a devastating illness with severe symptoms that prevent a person from enjoying life. There are many treatment options, but not all of them work for every individual.
Waiting to find the right combination can be frustrating. EMDR therapy for depression offers hope. This therapy can be used in conjunction with other treatments or as a stand-alone treatment. To schedule an EMDR session, call Promises at 844.875.5609 or use our online contact form.