Is uncertainty often intolerable for you? Seem to go a bit frantic when trying to solve a problem? Do you believe that worry serves a useful purpose in your life, and yet feel tortured by it at the same time? Do you tend to avoid many things that stress you? All are key symptoms of GAD or Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Initial Research of 4 clients with GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) demonstrated that they no longer qualified for the diagnosis of GAD after 15 to 19 sessions of EMDR Therapy. This was validated by changes in their scores on the Penn State Worry Questionnaire.Treatment consisted of identifying the experiences in the client’s past that contributed to the current GAD symptoms and diagnosis. Clients were asked to rate their current level of distress about those memories. Those with the highest level of distress were chosen for EMDR processing.
The next phase targeted current situations or future potential worries, with ratings for level of distress. Again, the most disturbing concerns were targeted with EMDR therapy.
Future studies are needed with many more research subjects, but this initial research shows great promise. Good research has already shown that EMDR can help significantly with other anxiety disorders such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and Phobias. If anxiety is worrying you, we invite you to try EMDR in Cambridge and Wellesley. Many EMDR therapists have found EMDR helps with Panic Disorder as well, but more research is needed on that subject.
For PTSD, the prestigious Cochran Review from Britain recommends that all sufferers be offered either EMDR or CBT. Both have high success rates. EMDR accomplishes the goal in less time, with far less homework, so it is worth trying — especially for people who do not like or have not benefitted from CBT.
ComprehensiveTherapyApproach.com is a valuable source of education about EMDR as well as EMDRIA-Certified EMDR therapists. Click on “Wellesley” or “Cambridge” in the links below to find a caring EMDR therapist to help you leave that ingrained worry habit behind you:
Prescott EMDR Therapist who helps with Worries and Anxiety, or PTSD
Scottsdale EMDR Therapist can help you with Anxiety, Worry or PTSD
