What is lateralized eye movement?
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Lateralized eye movement refers to the movement of the eyes from one side to another, as in looking right to left or vice versa. explains that such eye movements are typically performed when a person is walking or moving through space, and they are reflexive, subconscious actions related to the motor system. These lateralized eye movements are activated whenever you're moving forward and self-generating that movement, such as while walking, running, or riding a bicycle. They play a part in helping people dissociate the emotional experiences of particular traumas from the trauma itself, allowing them to recall these experiences without feeling stressed or reporting them as traumatic any longer 1.
Additionally, lateralized eye movements, particularly in the context of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, have been shown to suppress the activity of the amygdala. The amygdala is a brain region involved in threat detection, stress, anxiety, and fear. These eye movements, but not vertical eye movements, appear to help reduce activation of the amygdala 2.
In the context of EMDR therapy, lateralized eye movements are performed by the patient while recounting a traumatic event. This process has been found to help minimize the associated emotional impact and decrease stress responses due to its effects on amygdala activity 3.
In terms of the physiology behind why this suppression occurs, mentions that research has linked the process to forward movement. When moving forward, such as taking a physical action when feeling overwhelmed by a traumatic experience, there is a natural suppression of amygdala activity, which reduces feelings of fear and anxiety. This is because the reflexive eye movements that occur during forward motion serve as a signal to the brain, indicating that there is movement through space, which is then perceived as a non-threatening action 4.
It is worth noting that these explanations pertain specifically to the use of lateralized eye movements in the treatment of trauma and their association with certain brain activities related to stress and fear.
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