[Guest]

Dr.,

My Psychologist today topld me that he would like to include an approach called Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing in addition to CBT as part of my therapy (I have also started Celexa) because my panic attacks and anxiety were preceeded by the attacks of 9/11 (I watched the attacks and collapse from my office window 15 blocks away, friends of friends were lost, and I still avoid reading or watching TV related to the attacks). He says he doesn't believe I have classic PTSD but that dealing with this issue would help.

I know you are generally not in the habit of commenting on the practices of another, but what do you think of this procedure and if at all possible to comment, this approach? My greatest fear is that it could aggravate the situation, I told him that even as he spoke of recalling the events I could feel my anxiety go up right in his office, where I am usually at my calmest. Thanks as always.

[Guest]

There is a website re EMDR but that tends to ignore the negative studies and emphasize the positive. There has been some research using it as a tool for anxiety and panic. The studies are mostly positive with some notable exceptions. It is a little like hypnosis using eye muscles and relaxation coupled with memory. It rarely makes things worse and sometimes helps a great deal.
[quote] Dr. ,

My Psychologist today topld me that he would like to include an approach called Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing in addition to CBT as part of my therapy (I have also started Celexa) because my panic attacks and anxiety were preceeded by the attacks of 9/11 (I watched the attacks and collapse from my office window 15 blocks away, friends of friends were lost, and I still avoid reading or watching TV related to the attacks)... [/quote]