How EMDR for PTSD Can Help Your Trauma Symptoms

PTSD can happen to anyone, not just combat veterans. EMDR for PTSD and trauma symptoms has been shown to help patients move past the painful memories by decreasing the emotions attached and reducing the vividness of the memory.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental condition caused by a traumatic event. This event can be related to war, violence, natural disaster, accident, or abuse. Witnessing a traumatic event either in person or online can trigger PTSD symptoms.

The Symptoms of PTSD and Trauma Symptoms

Most people think of combat veterans when they hear the acronym PTSD. Military members returning from war would struggle to resume everyday life after seeing and hearing the things they experienced. Their nightmares would practically come to life during the daytime with sudden flashbacks, panic attacks, and memories so vivid that they could experience the traumatic event all over again (even down to the sound and smells from the memory).

The symptoms of PTSD include:

• Heightened startle response
• Problems sleeping
• Avoiding people or places that bring reminders
• Intrusive thoughts about the event
• Sudden and realistic flashbacks
• Mood swings and irritability
• Trouble concentrating

A physician will diagnose PTSD if the patient has experienced trauma symptoms for more than six months.

Who can develop PTSD?

Anyone can develop PTSD. The following is a list of a fraction of the people who are at risk for developing PTSD:

• Children raised in abusive homes
• Spouses under duress from an abusive partner
• Victims of natural disasters (hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, etc.)
• Witness to a traumatic event
• Someone who already struggles with anxiety or depression
• Victims of a violent crime
• Witnessing a violent crime
• Experiencing more than one traumatic event (divorce, eviction, loss of a child, etc.)
• Experiencing a traumatic event over time (caring for a terminal loved one)

Social media can also play a role in triggering PTSD.

Often, PTSD combined with other mental conditions, such as anxiety or depression, can lead to self-harm or suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you love is having thoughts of hurting themselves or others, reach out for help immediately.

How does EMDR work?

EMDR for PTSD is one of the therapies available to treat the mental condition. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Eye movements (bilateral stimulation) are believed to impact working memory until the vividness and emotions associated with the traumatic events are decreased.

At the initial session, your counselor in McKinney, Texas will discuss your history and past treatments and conduct an assessment. They may lead you through the traumatic event in a safe environment to help you describe emotions, beliefs, and thoughts.

From this history session throughout, you will practice EMDR for PTSD, the actual eye movements required for this therapy. Bilateral stimulation is thought to tax or wear down the working memory and decrease the emotions attached to the traumatic event.

You will continue working through, processing, and challenging any negative beliefs or emotions associated with the trauma. Your counselor in McKinney will address any new sensations or beliefs that develop during the session. Before ending the session, you will walk through a resolution by regulating emotions and shifting perspective about the trauma.

Most EMDR for PTSD treatments are complete in one to three sessions, making it one of the most effective and cost-effective therapies. Clients learn about positive coping mechanisms and how to move past the memories and avoidance. By reducing the emotional impact of the event, the individual can view it from a different perspective. This mindset shift enables the individual to feel more in control of their emotions, become more self-aware, and build confidence.

EMDR Therapy in McKinney, Texas

EMDR for PTSD is a therapy available in McKinney, Texas. Contact us today at Texas Christian Counseling, McKinney to get started. Our reception team will connect you with a Christian counselor in McKinney with proven experience in EMDR therapy. Combined with biblical principles and treatment through the lens of faith and psychology, you can expect a treatment that addresses physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wholeness.

You were not made to stay trapped in fear, anxiety, panic attacks, and trauma. Jesus Christ broke these chains, and we can find a way to heal the past to continue working toward our purpose. Take the first step today by contacting us about EMDR for PTSD.