EMDR Neurobiological Foundations Flashcards

Which theory proposes that bilateral stimulation during EMDR mimics the memory processing that occurs during REM sleep?

Answer: REM Hypothesis

The REM Hypothesis suggests that the bilateral eye movements in EMDR parallel the rapid eye movements of REM sleep, facilitating adaptive memory processing similar to dreaming.

Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory is relevant to EMDR because it explains:

Answer: How the autonomic nervous system regulates social engagement and safety responses

Polyvagal Theory explains how the autonomic nervous system's three states — safety, mobilization, and shutdown — influence a client's readiness and capacity for trauma processing in EMDR.

What does 'hyperarousal' look like neurobiologically in a trauma survivor during EMDR processing?

Answer: Elevated sympathetic nervous system activity with increased heart rate and anxiety

Hyperarousal in trauma survivors reflects heightened sympathetic nervous system activation, presenting as anxiety, increased heart rate, and heightened vigilance.

What is the significance of 'interhemispheric communication' in EMDR neurobiological models?

Answer: Bilateral stimulation is thought to enhance communication between left and right brain hemispheres, facilitating integration

Some EMDR neurobiological models propose that bilateral stimulation enhances communication between brain hemispheres, supporting the integration of fragmented traumatic memories.

Which part of the nervous system is associated with the 'freeze' or 'shutdown' response seen in some trauma survivors?

Answer: Dorsal vagal complex

The dorsal vagal complex, the evolutionarily oldest branch of the vagus nerve, mediates the immobilization or shutdown response seen in severe or inescapable trauma.

Why is titrated exposure important in EMDR from a neurobiological standpoint?

Answer: It keeps clients within the window of tolerance to enable effective processing without overwhelm

Titrated exposure keeps the client's arousal level within the window of tolerance, preventing retraumatization while still activating the traumatic memory network for processing.