Understanding the factors that contribute to how we think and feel is important. Especially when we want to make life changes.
That's why a basic comprehension of your brain and nervous system is beneficial. Feeling better about ourselves, relationships and circumstances often require that we take a look at biological factors. They too impact how trauma, anxiety, depression, or any experience affect us. With more neuroscientific knowledge, your understanding of your own behavior, bodily responses, and thought patterns is enhanced and can provide hope.
Understanding EMDR neuroscience can help you obtain a better grasp of how the therapy provides a worthwhile path to healing. Let's explore more below:
What is Neuroscience?
To define our terms clearly, think of neuroscience as the way we examine how the human brain and nervous system are structured and function. As a discipline, neuroscientists are called on to study both biology and psychology to explore, map, and gain insights about how we are "wired" and how our wiring connects with the other parts of our minds and bodies.This type of study takes into account that a clear picture of our brains and nervous systems require research on the interplay of billions of brain cells. Thereby, we can get a better picture of how we can reprocess memory.
We can create new cell connections in our brains and nervous systems when former connections prove unhelpful or unproductive. Our capacity to do this is called neuroplasticity and is key to our ability to learn and relearn when necessary.
As it pertains to our memories, sensory information is routed to the thalamus in our brains. There, information is sent to the appropriate parts of our brains.
Visual information is sent to the occipital lobe.
Auditory and verbal information is directed to the temporal lobe.
And the frontal lobe receives new information that we process and integrate with previously stored knowledge to form our perceptions.
Ordinarily, signals from the frontal lobe are sent to the limbic region of our brains. There the amygdala (the brain region where emotion shapes perception) receives information. Then in the hippocampus region ( where our short-term recall and long-term recall are stored) sensory, cognitive, and behavioral information come together to create an integrated memory.
Memory problems arise when we are distressed or traumatized.
In threatening or intense situations, the emotion-oriented and primitive amygdala is activated before the frontal lobe has time to form a clear perception of what has occurred. Then the brain and nervous system are engaged in a “fight or flight” response that triggers adrenaline, muscle tension, and elevates emotional anxiety. When trauma is not present, the frontal lobe signals the body to relax after the incident passes. Unfortunately, in traumatic situations, the interaction of the amygdala and the hippocampus is compromised and "fight or flight" becomes stuck in the brain and body.
How EMDR and Neuroscience Work Together
Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a short-term psychotherapy approach, centers on aiding a participant's access to painful memories in an effort to reprocess them. Here, we can see clearly how the brain's ability to develop new neural pathways is particularly helpful.
This therapy taps into research that shows there is a link between eye location and direction as an indication of painful memories. The premise of treatment is that eye movement can reduce the hold of unprocessed memory and tensionThe specific techniques associated with EMDR therapy seeks to reduce the arousal that accompanies trauma-related emotions and sensations. The practice addresses what is "stuck" in the brain and central nervous system.
By using tapping, eye movements, and sound you can begin to harmonize the functions on the brain productively.Failing to address the stuck trauma within us leads to a deterioration of brain and nervous system communication. Internalization of an unproductive or unhealthy self-image and chronic mental or physical illness can result over time.
EMDR Recodes Unhelpful Emotional Content In Your Brain and Body
EMDR researchers found that side-to-side eye movement and memory tasks helped deactivate the amygdala. Thus, survival responses and fear are tempered. Over just a few sessions, your therapist can assist improved communication between your amygdala and the hippocampus. As you and your therapist successfully process painful memories, stress is reduced, and somatic symptoms lessen. A high degree of mental and emotional arousal is decreased as flashbacks, nightmares, or panic attacks start to fade.
Finally, EMDR Therapy is brief, direct, and effective. Please read more about the therapy and contact us soon for a free consultation. Serving Boulder, Longmont, Denver.
For your other needs, you can count on April Lyons Psychotherapy Group, to help you heal and grow through EMDR therapy, somatic therapy, trauma therapy, and PTSD treatment – because we believe in your strength and potential for recovery.
