PTSD And Trauma Therapy

So often when we think of trauma we think of military combat or horrific accidents. While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be caused by experiencing terrifying events or near death experiences, a post traumatic reaction can also occur as a result of chronic forms of stress such as childhood emotional neglect, shame, bullying, loss, betrayal, etc. Our upbringing can often make some experiences so repetitive that we internalize strong negative beliefs about ourselves, which negatively impact our physical health, our mental health, our relationship with ourselves, the world, and people in it. This leads us to a core sense that something is wrong with us and a belief that the world is a bad place.

Symptoms of Trauma

In addition to the above, symptoms of PTSD or a traumatic stress response can include the following:

  • Intrusive, negative, and distressing thoughts, feelings, and memories relating to an event.

  • An effort to avoid people, places, things, and internal experiences that remind you of the event.

  • Nightmares, flashbacks, and other dissociative reactions to the event.

  • Reactivity or arousal symptoms which include anger, irritability, fits of rage, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and excessive levels of alertness or feeling on guard.

EMDR for PTSD and Traumatic Stress

EMDR Therapy is the gold standard treatment people experiencing PTSD and other forms of trauma. When people complete EMDR Therapy, they may no longer have enough symptoms to meet the diagnostic criteria of PTSD. This does not mean that the event didn’t happen or that it wasn’t a horrible experience. It means that despite the event, people can recover from their trauma and move forward with their lives. EMDR can help people transform their lives so that they can live more fulfilling and meaningful lives.

If you are suffering from PTSD and want to try EMDR please reach out for a free consultation.

 

If you are ready to address your trauma please click the button below to set up a phone consultation.