ADHD Coaching Serving Adults, Teens, Kids, & Couples

ADHD Treatment Secret Weapons, Part 2: EMDR

Sometimes, it feels impossible to get over or get past terrible experiences.

ADHD Treatment Secret Weapons, Part 2: EMDREye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a comprehensive, integrative psychotherapy approach based on the theory that when a traumatic event occurs – an episode of violence, a natural disaster, etc – the brain is so overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and intense emotions that it does not store the memory correctly. Instead, the memory gets copied and stored all around the brain, in places it doesn’t belong, meaning that experiences like flashbacks occur when you least expect it.

During EMDR the patient relives the memories that have created patterns of anxiety and stress. While the patient relives the memory, the therapist introduces tones and taps to realign their bilateral eye movement. It is believed that manipulating this eye movement helps fix the client’s thought patterns. Working one trigger at a time, the therapist removes the negative thoughts connected to the external stimulus.

This is a very simplified description of a complex procedure, which typically has eight phases of treatment and takes a long time. There’s a lot more to EMDR, and it does not work for everyone. However, it is worth advocating for, because it does work amazingly well for some people and can be just the treatment to banish anxiety and panic triggers.

Consult with a doctor and/or mental health professional before changing your treatment.

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About the author

Carol Gignoux, M. Ed., author of Your Innovator Brain: The Truth About ADHD, is one of the foremost thought leaders on the subject of ADHD and other innovator brain types. She founded Living ADHD Free to help her clients – children, teenagers, college students, adults, executives and couples struggling with ADHD or executive function issues – lead orderly, happy lives in the classroom, office, and home. Drawing from her decades of hands-on experience and cutting-edge research, she provides valuable tools and success strategies for those who face issues with maintaining focus and concentration, time management, procrastination, impulsivity, and other disruptive symptoms of ADHD. After working with Carol, you will know your unique gifts, be able to express your true talents, and successfully achieve a more stress-free and fulfilling life.

2 comments on “ADHD Treatment Secret Weapons, Part 2: EMDR”

  1. Roelf Renkema Reply

    This primarily concentrates on 2 events using working memory. Something the ADHD mind laughs about really. Is there any paper giving an abstract why this would work?

  2. Pingback: ADHD Treatment Secret Weapons: Part 1 | Live ADHD Free

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