Trauma symptoms not going away? Try a technique that is fast and effective

There is a well known technique that is being used now with therapists across the world. It has been found to be just as effective as trauma-focused CBT in may studies. It is called EMDR or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. This technique has been around since the 1980s and has been growing in popularity and use.

In both PTSD and CPTSD (complex post traumatic stress disorder) an individual's life can be interrupted with intrusive thoughts about the trauma or nightmares. Many people suffering with these conditions often experience difficulty sleeping and find it hard to pay attention. It can take an enormous amount of energy just to function and get through the day with unresolved trauma. One theory of why people experience so many symptoms after a trauma is that memories from that trauma were not totally integrated into the mind. Typically, when a person experiences trauma, the mind will bypass the normal way to encode memories and will concentrate instead on protecting the individual. This thrusts the person into fight, flight, or freeze mode. The problem with being in fight, flight or freeze mode is that an individual will only retain parts of the memories. These fragmented memories can be haunting when they are not incorporated properly.  It can cause years of sleepless nights, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation.

EMDR is a technique that has helped thousands of patients heal from trauma. Patients typically discuss their trauma while bilateral stimulation is performed on the body. The most common bilateral stimulation is eye movements. This technique seems to lessen the symptoms of PTSD and the memories of the trauma become less powerful in causing symptoms in the present. It can be a comparatively fast way to heal from trauma when compared with other modalities. Trauma can be difficult, but it doesn't have to ruin your life. EMDR can help.