Relaxation Visualization

submitted by Embers

Imagine you have a lemon. How yellow is it? How ripe? Are the dimples deep or is it more smooth? Whats the temperature? Has it been in the fridge or has it been on the counter? How round is it, is it more oval? Now imagine cutting into that lemon. What sound does the knife make when it slices through? Can you hear the juice squirt out? Can you see it? Where does it go? Can you feel it? What color is it? Now pick up one half of the sliced lemon and put it to your nose, what does it smell like? Squeeze a little into the palm of your hand and taste the juice...is your mouth watering yet?

Michael Liebowitz
Michael Liebowitz is a prominent researcher on social anxiety.
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EMDR, Anyone?

By Rob (robbo56)

September 25, 2007, 11:56 PM

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR is something I had only heard of in the past. Now, years later at age 51, I stumbled upon a therapist who uses CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), but who is also a practitioner of EMDR.

Although EMDR is most-often used as a treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, it has begun to be used with greater frequency for treatment of depressive and anxiety related conditions, (based on articles I've read on the World Wide Web). Some clinicians refer to elements of the depressive and anxiety disorders as “mini-traumas”.

Since I am not a researcher or therapist, I won't give an opinion about the use of EMDR. My goal is to bring this to the attention of those who many be interested in investigating this form of treatment further, or who have experiences with EMDR also.

As described to me, the technique removes memories (which are laden with emotion). They are stored in a system of the brain/nervous system called the limbic system and EMDR literally moves them to the cerebrum where they become cognitions (thoughts). During this process, the emotions get “discharged” and only the thoughts remains (for the most part). This is an over-simplification, but it's adequate for this discussion. Stimulating both hemispheres of the brain through use of eye movement (both eyes following a moving object) or other stimulation, such as tapping on each knee, facilitates the process. Imagery as well as CBT are also used.

CBT is used to help process the emotions that still remain and since the schema (automatic thoughts) are still intact, CBT further treats one's “present day” thinking. The “root causes” of the learned cognitions become “unseated” however and changing one's thinking, and the associated feelings becomes a much quicker and more lasting treatment. That's the theory and I have noticed my feelings being closer to the surface, and using cognitive restructuring seems to help. I can't predict the future, obviously, but I'm optimistic.

In closing, I would be glad to report on the progress I'm making, or to find out more from other users who may be receiving similar treatment.

Peace

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Albert Bandura (born December 4, 1925 in Mundare, Canada) is a psychologist famous for his work on social learning theory and, more recently, social cognitive theory and self efficacy. He is generally acknowledged as America's greatest living psychologist.