Helping Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD using EMDR Therapy at 1066 Therapy
covering East Sussex, Battle, Hastings, Bexhill, Rye, Heathfield, Hailsham, Eastbourne, Crowborough, Brighton, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Ashford and Kent.
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy to give its full title, is a research backed approach to help trauma and PTSD. It can be useful to help treat the psychological after effects of traumatic events. These include traumatic stress, post traumatic stress, and PTSD.
It is one of just two treatment approaches recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) for these sorts of problems. However, this doesn’t mean that it is the only approach which can help trauma and PTSD.
What can EMDR help with?
EMDR is often used to help people recover from the psychological/emotional after-effects of a (usually single) adult trauma. For instance:
- serious car accidents
- rape and sexual assault
- mugging or physical assault
- a sudden and violent loss of a loved one
- war
- witnessing violent / traumatic events
- and natural disasters.
PTSD
Some people are unable to properly process and resolve traumatic events. As a result, they may develop PTSD. PTSD affects up to 40% of adults following trauma. We are more likely to develop PTSD after an adult trauma if we had childhood difficulties too. However, challenging childhood events often lead to Complex PTSD, or cPTSD which requires a different therapy approach.
PTSD symptoms
Typical symptoms of PTSD include:
- Re-experiencing the event – through flashbacks, nightmares, repetitive distressing images
- Unpleasant physical sensations – e.g. pain, trembling, sweating
- Recurring negative thoughts about the event
- Avoidance and/or emotional numbing (hypoarousal)
- Hyperarousal – feeling ‘on edge’, anxiety, irritability, fears/phobias
- Sleep problems/insomnia
- Angry outbursts
- Depression
- Substance abuse: drugs, alcohol, overeating
- Headaches, stomach problems, dizziness
- Bedwetting and separation anxiety in children
However, a person may not experience all of these symptoms. In addition, the symptoms may not start straight after the trauma. In fact, sometimes the symptoms can start months or years after the event. Thus, the person may not connect their problems to the traumatic experience.
I have taken accredited Level 1 training with EMDR Extra. As a result, I can use this technique either as a ‘stand-alone’ therapy or as part of an integrated approach.
Finally, if you would like to book a free 30 minute initial consultation to discuss your suitability for EMDR then please contact me on 07722783490 or by email.
