The effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy on the mind-wandering, shyness and social anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment on mind-wandering, shyness and anxiety in students with social anxiety. The research method was quasi-experimental with pretest and posttest with control group. Thirty students with social anxiety disprder selecte vouluntary and were randomly assigned to two experimental (n = 15) and control group (n = 15). Before and after treatment, the questionnaires of mind-wandering, shyness, and social anxiety were administered on control and experimental groups. The results showed that desensitization training with eye movement and reprocessing reduced mind-wandering, shyness and social anxiety in the experimental group compared to the control group. As a result, it can be stated that desensitization treatment with eye movement and reprocessing is effective in improving mind wandering and shyness and social anxiety symptoms in students with social anxiety disorder.