What is Trauma?
Trauma and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) can happen to ANYONE. It’s not reserved for one type of event or circumstance. It’s not a matter of “not being strong enough” or “being broken”. Trauma happens because we were pushed past our unique window of tolerance for stress. Our brain and body are wired to protect us, but when trauma symptoms happen – it’s because the wiring got a little tangled. According to Bessel van der Kolk trauma is “the current imprint of that pain, horror, and fear living inside people”.
Trauma gets STUCK in our nervous system. When we feel unsafe the fight-flight-freeze response get’s triggered, and this response gets stuck in the “on” position. It doesn’t matter if something happened 10 days ago or 10 years ago. If trauma is not processed, it will stay in the nervous system until it is processed. The traumatic experience could be a single event trauma (like a car accident) or chronic traumatic stress over time (like abuse or relational trauma). The good news is – trauma CAN be healed. Even old trauma can be released and opened up for mental, emotional, and physical healing.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), is an effective and evidence-based therapeutic treatment. EMDR is used to treat PTSD, acute stress responses, anxiety, phobias, low self-esteem, developmental trauma, impacts of emotional and verbal abuse, bullying, and pretty much any distressing life experience.The EMDR therapy process desensitizes you to traumatic memories and the negative beliefs associated with them. When this occurs, it greatly reduces the distress associated with the memory. So, EMDR allows you to heal from the experience that caused trauma as well as deal with current life stressors in a way that feels healthier and happier for you.
According to EMDRIA (the EMDR International Association), EMDR can be effective for individuals who have experienced or who are experiencing:
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Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
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Chronic illness and medical issues
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Depression and bipolar disorders
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Grief and loss
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Performance anxiety
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PTSD and other trauma and stress-related issues
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Sexual assault
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Sleep disturbance
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Violence and abuse
“Earth will be safe when we feel in us enough safety.” – Thich Nhat Hanh