EMDR therapy, created by Dr. Francine Shapiro, treats PTSD and trauma by using eye movements or bilateral stimulation to process distressing memories. It's effective for various conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Research supports its efficacy in reducing symptoms, showing advantages over traditional treatments and medications.
PTSD results from traumatic events, causing lasting, severe reactions such as flashbacks, avoidance, mood swings, and stress. Affecting 6% of U.S. adults, it's more common in women and veterans. Risk factors include trauma exposure and lack of support. Diagnosis relies on symptom evaluation, and treatments include therapy (CBT, EMDR) and SSRIs. Early understanding and tailored treatment are vital for managing PTSD.
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Research has shown that post-traumatic stress disorder can result in changes to the brain structure. For instance, the hippocampus, which plays a role in regulating stress hormones and is responsible for storing and retrieving memories, can actually shrink.
One of the things that can happen when you experience trauma is that your nervous system becomes less able to regulate itself. Ordinarily, when you encounter a stressor, your sympathetic nervous system readies your body to respond—you’ve probably heard of this as the ‘Fight, Flight, or Freeze’ response.
