What Is Bilateral Stimulation?
This seemingly simplistic technique can be tremendously impactful in uncovering and healing from your experience.
How Is Bilateral Stimulation Performed?
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Thenervous system-calmingtechnique involves alternating stimulation of the right and left hemispheres of the brain.
EMDR and its specific techniques have shown success in treating anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder, explains Esmaeilpour.
Like any form of treatment, results vary from person to person.
Memories are not forgotten, but the emotional hold of the memories lightens.
In cases where its found to be effective, the benefits are vast.
Without the proper guidance, you may feel exposed to the difficult event without benefiting from the experience.
Worse, it can retraumatize someone by allowing them to relive it when they arent ready, says Wang.
Is Bilateral Stimulation Right for You?
So, when should you try bilateral stimulation for anxiety or other mental health symptoms?
It should always be after the experience causing these feelings has ended.
Wang recommends exploring bilateral stimulation if other types of treatments or talk therapy alone isnt proving to be beneficial.
If youre currently seeing a therapist, it can help to discuss this and other options with them.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (2017).Anxiety Disorders.
[online] Nami.org.
Available at: https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Anxiety-Disorders.
