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Trauma & PTSD
NATURE OF TRAUMA AND PTSD, AND TREATMENT FOR THEM
I regularly use EMDR to treat PTSD and the after effects of trauma, when it is appropriate to the situation and to the individual client. It can be extremely effective, in much less time than other treatments.
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a type of anxiety disorder that can occur after traumas. PTSD's symptoms result from unwanted returns of bad memories, or emotional overloads when new situations are misinterpreted by the brain's limbic system as the return of current, real danger. Feeling physically threatened or witnessing violence, even if you were not physically injured, can lead to PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder can be terrifying and even disabling for some people. It can cause flashbacks, sleep problems and nightmares, feelings of isolation, guilt, paranoia, and sometimes panic attacks .
These symptoms may include:
• Recurring, intrusive, and distressing memories of the event.
• Avoiding situations that remind you of the event.
• Jumping into "Fight, Flight, or Freeze."
• Having panic attacks.
• Becoming emotionally numb and withdrawing.
• Difficulty sleeping and concentrating, and fearing for your personal safety.
• Difficulty keeping relationships or jobs.
• Turning to substance abuse as "self-medication."
PTSD symptoms can be disabling. PTSD usually develops within 3 months of the trauma, although it may not develop until months or years later. Symptoms last around 3 months in up to half of those who get PTSD. Others may have symptoms that come and go over several years.
Examples of traumatic events that can result in PTSD range from big, dramatic, awful happenings, the so-called "Big-T" traumas, to small but corrosive repeated events, or "Little-T" traumas.
Examples of "Big-T" traumas could be:
• Being involved in or close to the 9-ll destruction or other terrorist attacks.
• A serious automobile accident and its aftermath; or an airplane accident.
• War time experiences.
• Being raped, help-up, assaulted, robbed, or being a close witness to similar these.
• The divorce of parents.
• A natural disaster, such as a fire, tornado, flood, or earthquake.
• A messy break up or divorce from a partner.
• Childhood abandonment
• Sexual abuse
Examples of "Little-T" traumas:
• Constant put-downs, criticism or rejection by parents when young.
• Repeated physical or emotional abuse or severe neglect.
• Repeated failures at school, possibly from a learning disability or ADHD.
• Being bullied in school or camp situations.
Treatments:
Classic treatment of PTSD is through Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Group Therapy, medications, and case management. Unfortunately, those treatments are lengthy and have a low success rate. Fortunately, EMDR is now recognized as an effective new treatment for many cases, and is practiced in the Veterans Administration, FBI, police and fire departments, and many Crisis Intervention situations. Tens of thousands of trained psychotherapists use EMDR as the first choice for treating PTSD and the anxieties relating to trauma.
EMDR is also very useful for treating "Little-T" after effects. It can help people become less reactive and more self-confident in situations that have been triggering them. It's good effects not only last indefinitely once the treatment is successfully completed, but actually continue to reduce the symptoms for up to six months after treatment is over.
I get great satisfaction from helping people find real relief from the symptoms of PTSD and trauma. While often the treatment of complex cases can take several months, sometimes we see impressive results in just a half-dozen sessions.
If you suspect that PTSD or the after effects of trauma are making your life difficult, please get in touch with me for an assessment of your particular situation and needs, and how treatment might help.