Does EMDR help with anxiety? As a woman with ADHD and a mother raising neurodivergent children, I know how beneficial the right type of therapy can be.
So, today, we’ll dive into EMDR therapy, a highly effective treatment to support anxiety symptoms in neurodivergent people.
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Mental Health Support and Anxiety
Mental health support is paramount for everyone, especially individuals with neurodivergent brains. This includes:
- Autism
- ADHD
- Dyslexia
- Dysgraphia
- Anxiety
- Depression
- and more
Anxiety disorders impact over 31% of teens between 13 and 18. And neurodivergent individuals are at even greater risk for mental health distress such as:
- panic disorder and panic attacks
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- obsessive-compulsive disorder
- social anxiety disorder
But why are neurodivergent people suffering from such significant psychological issues?
Neurodivergency & Anxiety
When someone has a neurodivergent brain, they see the world differently. This can lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression as their brains are on overload trying to navigate a non-autistic dominated world.
Up to 80% of autistic adults, for example, have experienced significant mental health distress. Reasons behind this devastating statistic include the emotional consequences of:
- ableism
- bullying by peers and teachers
- ABA therapy
- and exposure therapy
Even more, autistic people and those with ADHD are at increased risk for rejection sensitivity dysphoria.
What’s Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)?
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) is a distressing form of anxiety related to difficult experiences in social situations.
The person with RSD experiences extreme emotional pain and negative thoughts in response to real or perceived social rejection. Because non-autistic people don’t understand autistic social skills, autistic people are often marginalized rather than appreciated.
This marginalization leads to perpetual ostracism and shame. Ultimately, this means neurodivergent individuals may have further difficulty coping with and managing such intense negative emotions.
In truth, this makes perfect sense in light of a lifetime of traumatic event after traumatic event living in perpetual survival mode.
Survival Mode Leads to Trauma
Look at it this way.
Imagine trying to survive in a world designed in complete opposition to how you’re wired. On a daily basis, you’re bombarded by external messages that tell you you’re not enough.
Here’s one pervasive message that begins in childhood.
- “Good listeners sit still and have their eyes on me.”
- This message by teachers tells neurodivergent children that they must ignore their body sensations of sensory overwhelm to “be good.”
- Insisting a child use their mental energy to “sit still” drains the brain of fuel that can no longer be used to “pay attention”.
- Eye contact is often highly challenging for neurodivergent children and adults.
- As such, forcing eye contact drains the brain of cognitive fuel and REDUCES the ability to listen and process the message.
- Further, many neurodivergent people struggle with speech and language processing and are then penalized when forced eye contact reduces their ability to process language.
It should be no surprise when neurodivergent children (who then grow into adults) struggle with negative beliefs about themselves and their safety.
Masking, Fight or Flight, and Trauma Response
As an example, a majority of autistic individuals are forced into autism masking in order to survive the societal expectations that they act non-autistic.
In the end, when you’re constantly trying to conform to expectations that are in opposition to your inherent wiring, it’s exhausting. The physical sensations associated with living in this state of chronic fight-or-flight (anxiety) are a form of trauma.
The nervous system (brain and body), by design, becomes primed to protect itself. This leads to physical symptoms of dysregulation (anxiety and hypervigilance) that are automatic and cannot be “willed away.”
- elevated heart rate
- increased blood pressure
- dilated pupils
- sweating (vasodilation)
Behaviors related to such trauma may include:
- anger and aggression (fight)
- elopement or leaving the demands placed on them (flight)
- complete shutdown (freeze)
In the end, when we see these types of natural responses to stress and trauma, we must look beyond cultural norms of behavioral expectations, to support neurodivergent loved ones.
Treatment and Support
This makes it essential to find the right mental health treatment options for any neurodivergent individual who is suffering.
Mental health support and anxiety treatment are often associated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
In truth, however, cognitive-behavioral therapy is NOT the preferred treatment for neurodivergent individuals or anyone with signs of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder.)
One form of psychotherapy that can be extremely effective for those with PTSD is EMDR therapy work.
Please understand that autistic individuals are up to 4 times more likely to have a PTSD diagnosis, than the general public.
What About ADHD?
Kids with ADHD are not exempt from this as they’re at significantly greater risk for:
- mood disorders,
- automobile accidents,
- teen pregnancy,
- substance abuse
- and more
If you’re a parent of a neurodivergent child, please keep this in mind. We must do better for the next generation of children.
In the end, the messages our kids continuously receive in childhood are the ones they take with them into adulthood.
What is EMDR?
Understanding what EMDR is and how it works can help neurodivergent individuals feel prepared for their sessions and learn about the benefits of this therapy.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. In an EMDR session, your therapist will use different tools to encourage bilateral stimulation of some form.
Bilateral stimulation simply refers to activating both hemispheres of the brain through some form of rhythmic sensory input to both sides of the body.
In an EMDR treatment session, bilateral movement techniques include:
- rapid eye movements
- some mental health practitioners will hold up a finger and ask you to follow it with your eyes
- others may use a horizontal light tool that travels right-to-left in a similar rhythmic pattern
- butterfly taps
- cross your arms in front of you with the left hand tapping the right shoulder and the right hand tapping the left shoulder in a rhythmic pattern
I can speak from personal experience of the effectiveness of EMDR therapy to address underlying nervous system dysregulation. I’ll share more of my family’s story at a later date.
REM Sleep, Eye Movement, and Information Processing
The theory behind the use of rapid right-to-left eye movements is based on REM sleep. During REM sleep, the eyes flutter from left to right while processing and integrating information in the brain.
It’s like how after you’ve studied really hard for a test, it’s important to get a good night’s sleep. A good night’s sleep is defined by moving through the various sleep cycles, including the REM stage.
The use of EMDR helps patients access memories of past traumatic experiences and then process them in a safe space.
EMDR has become increasingly popular over the last few decades thanks to its success and gentle approach to treating things like PTSD and trauma.
Preparing for EMDR
When a patient is participating in EMDR therapy, the therapist should prepare them with some basic understanding of the process.
Specifically, it’s important to understand that after an EMDR session, emotions may be heightened. This is because past memories will likely be triggered and brought to the surface.
While this may feel uncomfortable for a brief period, in the long run, it will bring healing and relief from the pain the body and mind have been storing.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy for Neurodivergent Individuals
While EMDR is often used for PTSD, it can benefit numerous other mental health difficulties as well.
EMDR can treat anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive challenges, and other mental health issues which are common experiences for neurodivergent people.
With EMDR therapy, the therapist and patient work together to help release past traumatic memories that left the patient feeling anxious and stressed.
EMDR therapy can help release those memories and allow space for the patient to heal.
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EMDR, Self-Compassion, and Confidence
Again, one of the more painful aspects of having a neurodivergent brain is that you’re often misunderstood by non-autistic people.
Life can be challenging enough without having to feel like you are one step behind in understanding the world around you. Not surprisingly, feeling judged and misunderstood leads to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anxiety.
When a person participates in EMDR therapy, they’ll be able to process current and past experiences that cause hurt and pain.
Then, once those experiences are processed, the goal is that the patient gains a sense of separation from the bodily sensations of the fight-or-flight response. That allows them to have the memory of the painful event without it consuming their mind, spirit, and body.
With a new awareness, patients often mention feeling an increase in self-worth, self-compassion, and confidence.
EMDR Therapy Provides a Sense of Calm
Another benefit of EMDR therapy is the sense of peace and calm that begins to develop as the nervous system learns that it’s safe.
In other words, as traumas are processed, the fight-or-flight response becomes healthier and takes its rightful place in the background of life.
Again, when your brain understands the world differently than the neurotypical majority, it can be exhausting to process and comprehend the world around you.
Many neurodivergent individuals experience fatigue and burnout when interacting with neurotypical people in the outside world.
Working with a therapist and participating in EMDR therapy provide a sense of calm and relief when given the safe space to process current and past events and interactions with others.
Neurodivergent Children Benefit from EMDR Therapy
Research continues to show the importance of mental health intervention with children as early as possible to provide the support they need to succeed and stay healthy.
While children may not have the same responsibilities as adults, kids with neurodivergent brains desperately need support to help them navigate the world around them.
Providing a solid foundation for processing past and present trauma can give children the right tools needed to heal from trauma.
Further, they’ll learn healthy emotional regulation and coping strategies for dealing with future experiences.
EMDR has been shown to be safe and effective for children as a form of therapy in addition to other supports needed to help provide coping strategies for dealing with challenges in their lives.
Other Forms of Therapy for Neurodivergent Individuals
Participating in EMDR therapy sessions is an excellent tool to help neurodivergent individuals process and heal from past trauma and experiences. As the patient recovers, the nervous system releases tension and stress related to past negative experiences.
Somatic therapy can provide even more support for the patient as they process the experiences released from EMDR. This type of therapy focuses on addressing the tension and stress held in the body.
When working with a somatic therapist, patients learn a practical strategy called a body scan. This strategy focuses on releasing tension by using deep breathing techniques. Additionally, it may utilize relaxation techniques such as movements and stretches.
One of the most important parts of making sure EMDR therapy is successful is to make sure the patient feels comfortable with the therapist.
Using somatic therapy, therapies based on polyvagal theory, and EMDR therapy can help individuals feel supported both physically and mentally while healing from trauma.
Recap: Does EMDR Help with Anxiety?
EMDR offers a more effective form of therapy compared with therapeutic techniques such as cognitive therapy.
Specifically, therapy that uses EMDR can provide neurodivergent individuals with the tools needed to work through past trauma. Ultimately, this can help them feel safe enough to engage with the world around them.
As mentioned earlier, I can attest to the fact that EMDR works well to address underlying fight-or-flight responses associated with past traumas. It’s been extremely beneficial to multiple members of my family.
More on that in the future. So, friend, what do you think? Looking for more information on supporting your family’s mental health?
Up next. Learn about another highly effective mental health tool based on Stephen Porges’ polyvagal theory.
About the Author:
Lindsay is a trauma-informed educator with a Master’s Degree in Teaching. Her mission is to support moms to equip neurodivergent kids (ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Anxiety) to thrive as exactly who they’ve been created to be. Wait until you hear the story that led to it all…
