EMDR and Virtual Reality

EMDR and virtual reality

EMDR is a bilateral stimulation technique where, on the one hand ocular movements are being carried out, and on the other hand the disturbing thought is kept in mind. (Marín, C., Guillen, A. I., Vergara, S., 2016).

This technique was thought for patients with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for having lived traumatic experiences such as natural disasters, assaults, sexual abuse, etc. 

Saphiro(2001) differentiated between two types of trauma: “T” type, that corresponds to traumas with danger of death and “t” type, that corresponds to those situations with chronicity, like school bullying situations. According to Saphiro (2001), nearly all disorders can have a traumatic origin, so the use of EMDR is justified in other problems, such as: phobias, addictions, depressive disorders, generalized anxiety, OCD, body image in eating disorders, personality disorders and behavioural problems among others. 

The EMDR Virtual Reality environment will favor the spacious effect and relaxation due to the patient’s situation which will be at the top of a hill surrounded by trees and mountains. Also, the fact that the therapist doesn’t have to go with the ocular movements can favor and help the patient by the evocation of the disturbing thoughts.