What Is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach that helps people process and integrate traumatic memories through bilateral stimulation. During EMDR therapy, a therapist guides clients to recall traumatic experiences while simultaneously focusing on back-and-forth eye movements, taps, or tones. This dual attention appears to facilitate the brain’s natural information processing, allowing traumatic memories to be reprocessed and stored differently, reducing their emotional impact. EMDR was initially developed to treat trauma but has expanded to treat mental health conditions involving negative beliefs and emotional distress.
While EMDR was not originally designed for ADHD, some clinicians use it as a complementary approach when ADHD co-occurs with trauma or emotional difficulties. For individuals with ADHD who have a history of traumatic experiences or developed negative thought patterns, like “I’m broken” or “I’m a failure,” EMDR therapy may help reduce associated emotional distress that can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. By addressing these underlying issues, individuals may experience improved focus and reduced emotional reactivity.
To learn more about how EMDR therapy can be an effective ADHD treatment, contact Balanced Mind of New York to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation.
What Is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects attention, impulse control, and activity levels. It is commonly diagnosed in childhood but can persist into adulthood. ADHD is characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily life, work, and relationships.
While the exact cause is not fully understood, ADHD is believed to result from a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors, affecting brain regions responsible for executive functioning. Individuals with ADHD may struggle with focus, organization, time management, and emotional regulation. Treatment often includes behavioral therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments to help manage symptoms and improve functioning.
ADHD Symptoms
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition – Text Revised, or DSM-5-TR, is written and published by the American Psychiatric Association. The DSM-5-TR organizes Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) into three types: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined presentation, meaning a mix of both. These symptoms can vary in severity and presentation, with some individuals displaying more inattention, while others experience more hyperactivity and impulsivity. An ADHD diagnosis includes the following symptoms:
Inattention Symptoms:
- Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or conversations
- Frequent careless mistakes in work or school assignments
- Trouble organizing tasks and activities
- Avoidance or procrastination of tasks requiring sustained focus
- Easily distracted by external stimuli or unrelated thoughts
- Forgetfulness in daily activities, such as remembering appointments or deadlines
- Frequently losing items needed for tasks, like keys, homework, or shoes
- Difficulty following through on instructions or finishing tasks
Hyperactivity & Impulsivity Symptoms:
- Frequent fidgeting, tapping, or restlessness
- Inability to stay seated in situations where it’s expected
- Feeling constantly “on the go” or unable to relax
- Talking excessively or interrupting conversations
- Difficulty waiting for their turn in lines or in conversations
- Acting without thinking, leading to impulsive decisions
- Interrupting or intruding on others’ activities or conversations
- Difficulty engaging in leisure activities quietly
Adult ADHD
Adult ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that generally persists from childhood into adulthood, affecting attention, impulse control, and executive functioning. While symptoms may evolve over time, adults with ADHD often struggle with difficulties in focus, organization, time management, and emotional regulation, which can impact work, social functioning, and daily responsibilities.
Unlike in children, where hyperactivity is more pronounced, adult ADHD may present as executive dysfunction, such as restlessness, difficulty completing tasks, forgetfulness, and impulsive decision-making. Many adults with ADHD go undiagnosed until they face significant challenges in managing their responsibilities. Treatment options, including therapy, medication, and lifestyle modifications, can help individuals develop coping strategies and improve their quality of life.
Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD have developed personal coping strategies throughout their lives, often without realizing the underlying condition. Some create elaborate systems of reminders, lists, and routines to manage daily responsibilities. Many rely on excessive caffeine consumption to improve focus, while some unconsciously self-medicate through risk-taking behaviors or substance use. Though these adaptations to manage ADHD symptoms may be partially effective, they typically require significant energy and can lead to chronic anxiety and stress, making formal diagnosis and treatment in adulthood a profound relief that finally explains lifelong struggles.
What Are Adverse Childhood Experiences?
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) refer to traumatic events or situations that occur during childhood, such as abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, or exposure to violence. Early childhood trauma can have a significant impact on a child’s emotional, psychological, and physical development, leading to long-term consequences such as mental health issues, behavioral problems, and difficulties in relationships.
Children who experience trauma or chronic stress may develop symptoms similar to ADHD, such as difficulty concentrating, emotional dysregulation, and impulsivity. The stress from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can disrupt brain development, particularly in areas related to attention, impulse control, and emotional control, which are core features of ADHD. Additionally, individuals with a history of ACEs may be more likely to struggle with ADHD symptoms into adulthood due to the compounded effects of traumatic experiences and brain development disruptions.
ADHD Treatment
Treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) typically involves a multimodal approach combining medication, behavioral interventions, lifestyle modifications, and therapy. Treatment plans are individualized based on symptom presentation, age, comorbidities, and personal preferences, with regular monitoring to adjust interventions as needed. A comprehensive approach addressing both core symptoms and functional impairments yields the best outcomes for managing ADHD across various life domains.
Medication
Stimulant medications, such as Adderall or Ritalin, are commonly prescribed to help improve focus and impulse control by enhancing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. Non-stimulant medications, like Strattera or Wellbutrin, may also be used for those who do not respond well to stimulants.
Behavioral Therapy and Interventions
Behavioral strategies include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), parent coaching (sometimes called parent training), organizational skills development, and educational accommodations.
Lifestyle Modifications
Lifestyle modifications for ADHD focus on regular exercise, consistent sleep schedules, balanced nutrition, structured routines, and mindfulness practices, such as relaxation techniques. Limiting screen time is also recommended. These modifications can support the management of ADHD symptoms.
EMDR Overview
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be used to treat ADHD by addressing trauma, emotional dysregulation, and negative self-beliefs that often accompany the disorder. Many individuals with ADHD have experienced a constant struggle with failures, criticism, or rejection throughout their lives, leading to low self-esteem, anxiety, and shame.
EMDR therapy helps by reprocessing traumatic memories and reducing their emotional intensity, allowing individuals to develop more positive beliefs about themselves. By targeting specific experiences that reinforce feelings of inadequacy, such as struggles in school, workplace difficulties, or social rejection, EMDR can help individuals with ADHD shift from self-doubt to greater confidence and self-esteem.
Additionally, EMDR treatment can improve emotional regulation, a common challenge for those with ADHD. By reprocessing emotionally charged memories and reducing physiological reactivity, EMDR for ADHD can help individuals become less reactive to stress and frustration. This can lead to better coping skills that support impulse control, improved focus, and a more balanced emotional state.
EMDR techniques can also be used to desensitize triggers and trauma-related symptoms that cause chronic stress, helping individuals with ADHD respond more calmly to challenging situations. While EMDR treatment does not directly address the core neurological aspects of ADHD, it can be a valuable tool in managing emotional and psychological challenges associated with the disorder, complementing other treatments such as medication and behavioral therapy. Treating ADHD symptoms by reprocessing negative memories allows clients to break free from past experiences that have limited their self-confidence and emotional well-being, leading to positive gains in their overall quality of life.
EMDR therapy offers an evidence-based treatment approach for managing ADHD symptoms. To learn more about EMDR treatment, contact the compassionate and skilled EMDR therapists at Balanced Mind of New York to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation.
How Do I Pay For EMDR Therapy for ADHD?
At Balanced Mind of New York, we offer multiple payment options to fit your needs and budget.
In-Network Insurance Provider: Balanced Mind of New York is proud to be an in-network provider for clients covered by Aetna, Cigna, Oscar, and Oxford insurance plans.
Out-of-Network Insurance Provider: For all other insurances, we provide superbills for reimbursement. We will contact your insurance company to confirm your eligibility and benefits, including the reimbursement rate for each session. We will also guide you through the process of sending superbills to your insurance.
If you have an out-of-network plan, any reimbursements will be sent directly to you from your insurance provider. Insurance typically reimburses 50-80% of the fee, but note that each policy is different.
Self-Payment Options: If no insurance coverage is available, clients may choose to pay for services out of their own pocket. If you need to pay out of pocket, we offer a sliding scale as part of our commitment to providing affordable care.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and HSA/FSA cards.
Contact Balanced Mind of New York to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation.
