Ptsd Healing Quotes

If you choose to try EMDR at home, I always suggest practicing first using an innocuous target event (mine was a paper cut), before moving on to the bigger stuff. Be prepared also for some small traumas to be a lot bigger than you first thought.

However, sometimes an event may occur that is so disturbing that it overloads the brain and prevents it from completing this all-important memory-processing task. Instead, the memory gets stored along with the physical sensations and negative emotions, where it is easily, and often repeatedly, triggered in our everyday lives.

It can depend on the perception of disturbance of the event and the length of time one is exposed to it. Genetics can play a part, as can childhood experiences (someone that has experienced rejection, disappointment, bullying, abuse, humiliation, or parental discord in their early years are more susceptible to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental health issues.)

Our current stress level at the time of a traumatic event occurring can have a significant impact.

Researchers also found that people with pre-existing trauma are more vulnerable to further (secondary) trauma.

One of the fascinating features of EMDR is that clients don't need to go into detail about the cause of their trauma; they only need to be thinking about it during the therapy.

EMDR focuses on 3 areas; past, present and future.

Most therapists recommend around six sessions of EMDR, although for severe trauma a client may need around fifteen sessions, and those with multiple traumas may need many more.

The assessment stage has three parts to it. 1. Form a picture of the target event 2. Identify the associated negative belief 3. Identify an alternative positive belief

Francine Shapiro's Book Getting Past Your Past identified three categories of negative beliefs: 1. Responsibility (feeling defective in some way, such as unlovable, ugly, or not good enough.) 2. Lack of safety (such as feeling in danger) 3. Lack of control (such as feeling overpowered, unable to stand up for oneself, or feeling that no one can be trusted.)

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, or side-to-side eye movements, to reprocess disturbing memories.

Scientists have long believed that during REM sleep our brains process the events of the day, including our emotions, beliefs and physical sensations. If the brain does not process these properly, memories may become lodged and can cause us problems further down the line.

Initially, EMDR was used to treat major traumas, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) experienced by war veterans and survivors of sexual assault.

While most people think of trauma as being caused by major events, such as going to war, sexual abuse, or sustaining a serious injury, trauma can also be caused by much 'smaller' everyday incidents which haven't been processed.

Examples of Issues that EMDR can treat Anxiety and panic Depression Anger Dysfunctional attachment Embarrassment Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Sleep problems, including nightmares and disrupted sleep Performance anxiety Driving issues Unresolved grief Eating disorders Chronic pain Phobias Addictions Childhood experiences, including bullying, insensitive adults, parental discord, death, and divorce Major traumas such as serious injuries or life threatening situations War trauma Abuse and assaults (sexual, physical, emotional) Emotionally charged experiences, including family arguments Work problems Stress Poor relationship choices Over-reacting to normal situations

There is no rule; everyone is different; healing takes as long as it takes.

To conclude, the amount, frequency, and length of self-administered EMDR sessions, should be down to the individual.

Other common reactions during and following an EMDR session include headaches, light-headedness, a spaced-out feeling, dizziness, tiredness, and exhaustion.

THE EIGHT STAGES OF EMDR 1. Personal history and treatment planning 2. Preparation 3. Assessment 4. Desensitization and reprocessing 5. Positive Cognition Installation 6. Body scan 7. Closure 8. Re-evaluation