Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Tapping Therapy For Depression

Major depressive disorder is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s characterized by prolonged feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and/or despair, among others. These symptoms, to varying degrees, can make it difficult to function in daily life and may significantly affect overall well-being.  

Although therapy and medication are two of the most widely supported treatments for depression, emotional freedom techniques (EFT), or EFT tapping therapy, may be another helpful method for managing symptoms. 

What is depression? 

According to the World Health Organization, depression is a condition “characterized by persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities.” In some cases, depression is situational or temporary. In others, it can be a long-lasting and challenging mental health condition. Regardless, depression is more than just “feeling down.” At times, it can pose major challenges to one’s ability to maintain relationships and tend to basic needs and responsibilities. 

Symptoms of depression may include, but are not limited to: 

• Fatigue or lack of energy 
• Sadness or apathy 
• Trouble sleeping (or sleeping too much) 
• Lack of interest in things you used to enjoy 
• Trouble concentrating 
• Feelings of guilt or hopelessness 
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns 

There are a variety of depressive disorders, and they can manifest in different ways. Some of these include:  

• Major depressive disorder: a disorder characterized by a loss of interest in activities, sleep disturbances, despair, and feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness 
• Bipolar disorder: a disorder that can cause extreme mood swings, ranging from manic to depressive episodes 
• Postpartum depression: a form of depression following the birth or adoption of a child 
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): a form of depression in which symptoms manifest during specific times of the year 
• Persistent depressive disorder (PDD): characterized by long-lasting depressive symptoms that are typically less intense than symptoms of major depressive disorder 

Depression is thought to be caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, major life changes, and past emotional trauma. It can often co-occur with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders and substance use disorders.  

Treatments for depression 

A variety of clinically recognized treatments exist for managing the symptoms of depression. Among them, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most commonly recommended. CBT focuses on identifying negative or unhelpful thought patterns and beliefs and restructuring them into more constructive and positive ones.  

In addition to therapy, medication––like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)––may also be prescribed. Lifestyle changes such as self-care, mindfulness meditation, and exercise may also help reduce symptoms. Your healthcare provider may suggest one or more of these treatments, depending on the nature of your depression.  

Additionally, emotional freedom technique-based treatment, also known as EFT tapping, has been put forward as another potential method of treating the symptoms of depression. Short for “emotional freedom technique,” clinical EFT is being explored as a treatment for a variety of psychological symptoms related to conditions ranging from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to chronic pain.  

Can emotional freedom technique (EFT) therapy for depression improve symptoms of depression? 

Clinical emotional freedom techniques involve tapping on various points of the body, usually while saying a short statement. This statement tends to be specific to the issue that is causing you distress and is paired with a statement of self-love or self-acceptance.  

For example, someone experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder might repeat the statement, “Even though my trauma is causing me intense distress, I deeply love and accept myself, and I’m going to be okay.” While speaking the chosen phrase, the individual repeatedly taps on different emotional freedom technique (EFT) tapping points, known as “meridian points,” such as the outer edge of the palm, under the arms, above the upper lip, or on the middle of the chin.  

There’s a growing body of research on emotional freedom techniques. Here are a few highlights: 

• A 2018 meta-analysis of EFT’s usefulness in treating post-traumatic stress disorder suggests that clinical EFT led to reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol.  
• An older study suggests that EFT treatment led to psychological-trauma symptom improvement among veterans with PTSD. Note that psychological research is constantly changing and evolving. 
• EFT has also been suggested to improve symptoms of physical pain, anxiety, and depression. According to a 2019 study, clinical EFT “improves multiple physiological markers of health.” Subjects who received the treatment demonstrated a 35% improvement in symptoms of depression and a 31% increase in feelings of happiness.  

Depression therapy, mental health, and EFT 

Although tapping using the emotional freedom technique (EFT) may be an effective supplemental treatment, talk therapy is still regarded as one of the most effective ways to manage depression. A licensed therapist can also help determine if the emotional freedom technique (EFT) or other approaches may be right for you based on your situation.  

In recent years, more and more people have been turning to online therapy to help them manage their depression. For those whose depression makes it difficult to get out of bed, online therapy can be an easier way to speak to a therapist, since sessions can be attended from the comfort of home without needing to leave the house. Furthermore, the flexibility of online therapy allows people to work on therapy around their schedules, which can be helpful for those with busy routines.  

Online therapy has been suggested to be an effective method of treating depression. A 2013 study found that psychotherapy administered over the Internet led to depression recovery in more patients than in-person therapy did. More recently, a 2021 study suggests a “statistically significant reduction in depressive symptoms” among adolescents with depression who received online therapy.