EMDR

EMDR is an acronym for Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. It's an exercise as well as a psychotherapy used widely to deal with psychological issues, particularly trauma that may stem after military combat, physical assault, rape or car accidents. The aim of EMDR is to reduce the stress, resolve the trauma and shift from negative to positive outlook.

EMDR Principle

The technique was developed in 1987 by Dr. Sharpine Shapiro. She observed that eye movements can reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts; gradually the stress reaction too diminishes. Thus, the EMDR principle stresses the importance of using eye movements to stimulate certain parts of the brain to release emotional experiences that are stored in memory and deeply rooted in the nervous system. The aim is to help individuals liberate from the past and enjoy calm, productive emotional health. In other words, EMDR helps 'unlock' negative memories and helps the brain to successfully process the experience and march forward with a balanced emotional health.

EMDR is used in the treatment of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and trauma. EMDR is recommended as effective treatment for trauma in the Practice Guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association and in Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs and The International Society for Traumatic Stress. Addiction treatment is yet another area where EMDR is widely used. High degree of effectiveness has been shown in applying EMDR to conditions such as:

• Trauma
  
• Bereavement
  
• Pain disorders
  
• Disturbing memories
  
• Excessive grief
  
• Fear (Assault, crime, robbery, natural disaster etc)
  
• Illness
  
• Childhood abuse
  
• Sexual abuse
  
• Performance anxiety
  
• Depression
  
• Phobia
  
• Low-self esteem
  
• Relationship issues
  
• Insomnia

Phobophobia

Phobophobia is an excessive fear of developing a phobia.

Acarophobia

Acarophobia refers to fear of mites and small worms and insects. It also involves excessive fear of itching. A panic attack caused due to acarophobia is likely to cause dread and irregular heartbeat. Acarophobia can lead to excessive sweating and anxiety. This could be traced to an experience in the past or a phobia created in the subconscious.