Can EMDR Help With Depression?
Can EMDR Help With Depression?
You may understand why you feel depressed and still struggle to feel differently. You can recognize the harshness of “I’m not good enough” without being able to quiet it. Or you may feel less sadness than heaviness, disconnection, and the effort it takes to get through another day.
When the past keeps shaping how you feel about yourself
Depression has many possible contributors, including biology, health conditions, loss, ongoing stress, relationships, and social circumstances. It does not always begin with trauma, and it cannot always be traced to one event.
How EMDR may help with depression
EMDR is a structured psychotherapy best known for treating PTSD. Its use for depression is an emerging area of research. In one small randomized trial, adding EMDR to usual depression treatment produced greater improvement on some symptom measures than usual treatment alone. The study’s size and setting limit how broadly its findings can be applied.
Where IFS can fit: responding differently to self-criticism
Depression can involve an exhausting inner struggle. One part of you pushes harder and criticizes every mistake. Another wants to withdraw, sleep, or stop trying. You may then judge yourself for both.