What is Trauma?
Experiencing or witnessing a frightening, dangerous, or violent event can overwhelm our body's natural coping abilities. Exposure to death, injury, abuse, or sexual violence are often causes of trauma. Other more common life events like job stress, divorce, or accidents can cause trauma responses as well. Even people in the same event can experience trauma differently.
Signs of Trauma
Depression, sadness, or social isolation
An exaggerated startle response
Hypervigilance
Increased irritability and/or sudden anger
Feeling numb
Nightmares or flashbacks that relive the traumatic event
Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event
Difficulty functioning in daily life
Substance abuse and dependence
How can EMDR Therapy help?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is one form of trauma treatment that helps people heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy is backed by extensive research and it is recommended for trauma treatment and other concern including anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. Sometimes this natural healing process needs support to continue to heal. EMDR therapy helps to resolve the memories that are unresolved in the brain. For many clients of EMDR therapy, their symptoms of trauma can diminish or disappear once EMDR therapy is finished.
Want to learn more about EMDR and see if it is the right fit for you? Book a free consultation with me today! You can also head over to the EMDRIA website for more information on EMDR therapy.
Or contact us at Healing Connections Psychotherapy in North Bay, Ontario at 705-980-0777
Reference
EMDRIA.org. Trauma Tip Sheet. Therapist Resources.