Many studies indicate that mental disorders like anxiety, PTSD, and depression are more common than ever before. That being said, quite a few people might argue that they’re no more common than in the past; they’re simply being diagnosed more effectively these days. Either way, numerous treatments have been developed to address such issues.
Though an array of therapies has been found effective for mental disorders, cognitive behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing have become widely used solutions. While each one has its own benefits and applications, these two therapies also have distinct differences. Understanding the characteristics of CBT and emdr therapy is essential for people who are suffering from mental disorders as well as their loved ones.
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy essentially focuses on changing the ways people think about situations and giving them better ways of coping with stressors. It revolves around the principle that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and significantly influence each other. CBT helps people identify negative thought patterns that exacerbate their mental disorders and trigger their symptoms.
In this type of therapy, therapists work with people to help them develop more positive coping strategies and improved problem-solving skills. CBT aids people in modifying negative thought patterns and behaviors. It helps them use healthier ways of thinking. This treatment usually involves structured therapy sessions combined with at-home practices that reinforce what people learn in therapy. CBT can be used to treat anxiety disorders, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, and many other issues.
Delving Deeper into EMDR
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, on the other hand, is a newer form of psychotherapy. It’s often used to treat trauma and PTSD. Like other therapies, this is a complicated approach to treating mental disorders. It involves addressing past memories, present disturbances, and future actions to help change the ways people process traumatic experiences and negative reactions.
In EMDR, therapists use bilateral stimulation. This is the process of having patients focus their eyes or thoughts on something on one side of the body and then switching to the other side. Different focal points may be used, including sounds or objects. It stimulates both sides of the brain to help patients resolve distressing memories and the negative thoughts and feelings associated with them. It can help people develop coping mechanisms for their traumas and allow them to reprocess memories until they no longer trigger emotional distress.
Further Comparing EMDR and CBT
One of the main differences between EMDR and CBT is the way they retrain the brain. CBT focuses more on thought patterns and associated behaviors whereas EMDR revolves around memory reprocessing and desensitization. Both therapies can effectively treat various mental disorders though CBT is more often used for depression, anxiety, and phobias. EMDR can be used to treat those conditions as well, but it was originally developed for trauma victims. It’s also used to address panic disorders and complicated grief. Treating mental health disorders with CBT tends to be a drawn-out process while EMDR offers more rapid results.
Effectively Addressing Mental Disorders
Both EMDR and CBT can be invaluable for treating mental disorders. CBT focuses on modifying thoughts and behaviors with structured therapy sessions and problem-solving strategies patients can use outside of those sessions. EMDR helps patients reprocess traumatic memories and uses bilateral stimulation to desensitize them to their effects. Each therapy has its place in treating mental disorders though their effectiveness for each patient depends on several factors.
