TREATMENT DATABASE

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a psychotherapy approach that has proven effective for the treatment of trauma. It was developed by Francine Shapiro, an American psychologist, in the late 1980s after she noticed that back and forth eye movements appeared to alleviate anxiety associated with distressing memories.

EMDR is recommended as a treatment for trauma, particularly PTSD,  in numerous international practice guidelines, including those of the American Psychiatric Association and the Department of Defense.

USES IN ME/CFS: In 2017, Matthew Woo proposed EMDR as a way for patients with ME/CFS to control "maladative thinking" that leads to inactivity. In this regard, Woo's application of EMDR to ME/CFS bears some similarity to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, in most cases EMDR is used simply to relieve anxiety, a purpose for which it has proven to be effective.

Treatment rating for EMDR